November 28, 2007

ELZIE H. JENKINS

Funeral for Elzie H. Jenkins, 86, of Tyler was at 11 a.m., Monday in the Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home chapel with Dr. Phil Lineberger and Dr. E. M. Hay officiating. Burial was in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Mr. Jenkins died Nov. 19. He was born Aug. 2, 1921, in Gallatin to the late William and Emma Garner Jenkins. He grew up at Rusk and married his childhood sweetheart, Ouida Hamilton, in 1942. During World War II he was commissioned as an officer and served with the 82nd Airborne Division. After graduating from the University of Texas he had a career in the life insurance business in Dallas. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dallas and taught a men's Bible school class. He retired from the American General Life Insurance Company as regional vice-president. He moved to Arizona and was a golfer, a Rotarian, and active in the First Baptist Church of Sun City West, Ariz. As his health began to decline, he returned to East Texas. Survivors are his wife of 65 years, Ouida Hamilton Jenkins of Tyler; brother in law and sister-in-law, John and Joy Conway of Fort Worth; a nephew, Jon Mark Conway and his wife, Hayley and their son Will of Fort Worth; a niece Kathryn Conway Hansen, her husband Erik and their son Alex of Fort Worth.

Pallbearers were John Conway, Jon Mark Conway, Erik Hansen, Gene Goodman, Herschel Garner, Dr. Mike Harris, Ralph Gillham and John Larry Porter. Honorary pallbearers were James Lazarz and Jack Kassane. If desired, memorial may be sent to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler 75701.

Information from The Cherokeean Herald