Gladys Carolyn Jenkins

Gladys “Carol” Heggie Jenkins was born September 5, 1927, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and passed away on November 7, 2025, at 98 years old. Carol was born and raised in Chattanooga and attended the University of Tennessee, where she was a lifelong member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education and health and later obtained her Master of Science degree from the University of Houston–Clear Lake.

After college, Carol began teaching at Radford College, then Girls Preparatory School, and in 1953, Carol began working for the U.S. Department of Army, Civil Service, as a recreation supervisor in Stuttgart, Germany, where she met her husband, Bob Jenkins, who was serving in the Army during the Korean War. They married in Germany in 1955.

Carol worked part time as a substitute teacher while her children were young, Carol spent her later career as a Special Education teacher for high school students and often volunteered with the Special Olympics. She was dedicated to helping others and was passionate about education and inclusion.

Carol loved watching her University of Tennessee Volunteers football team and had a lifelong affection for the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. After retirement, Carol spent many years at her beloved mountain home in North Carolina, where she found peace and joy surrounded by nature. Carol had many friends and loved to host all her friends and family at the mountain house. She enjoyed collecting dolls and antiques and took great pleasure in exploring small mountain towns and antique shops. Carol was known for her annual garage sale, which was really just a big social event for all her friends, neighbors and family. Carol also very much enjoyed traveling and was able to see many countries in Europe while she lived there and later took many trips with her friends and family.

Carol was most of all a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great friend to many. Carol is survived by her daughter, Brooke Jenkins (Tracy); her sons, Emerson Jenkins (Sheri) and Forrest Jenkins (Janet); and her grandchildren, Addison, Andy, Samantha, William, Taylor, Jared and Drake. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Jenkins; her parents, Mather Emerson Heggie and Ova Lauderback Heggie; and her brother, Emerson Heggie.

The family would like to express appreciation for the staff at the Heritage of Meyerland, as well as Pax Et Vita Hospice, for their compassionate care.

Services will be held at Unity Chapel (on campus next to the bookstore), 2929 Unity Drive, Houston, Texas, 77057 on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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