Vanessa Jenkins Obituary (1954 - 2016)

Vanessa Ann Jenkins, transitioned from labor to reward, Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Cambridge, MD. She was born September 14, 1954 in Cambridge, Maryland, daughter of Rev. Marvel Elliott Travis and the late Arvil Jenkins. She was educated in the public school system of Dorchester County. Vanessa accepted the Lord at a young age at Union Chapel AME Church in Cordtown, MD and was currently an active member of Zion Baptist Church in Cambridge, MD. Vanessa loved her pastor and her church family. Her favorite hymn was “I Won’t Complain.” She was employed for many years at Rob Roy & Company until they relocated. Vanessa was a substitute teacher for the Dorchester County Board of Education. Her last place of employment was with the Dorchester County Detention Center, where she worked until her health failed. Vanessa could cook and loved to cook and care for her family as well as members in the community. She was a compassionate person that was always concerned about other people’s well being. She had a heart of gold and would give you her last. Whenever there was something going on at her home church in Cordtown you would find Vanessa in the kitchen doing what she loved best. She loved to sing and sang as often as she could. The first group she sang with was the Cambridge Community Choir. Vanessa sang with the Zion Baptist Mass Choir, C.J. Branch Singers, The Fifty Voices Choir of Union Chapel, The Singing Angels and The Renette Gospel Singers. Vanessa leaves a legacy of love and memories to her mother, Rev. Marvel Travis; a devoted husband that stood by her side during her illness, Evans Sharp; three daughters, Shonda Jenkins (Stone Mountain, GA), Anika Jenkins and Rasheka Molock (both of Cambridge, MD); three adopted daughters, Rosalyn Jones Sampson, Bonnie Foxwell and Vonzella Thomas; six grandchildren, JaBron Moore, Efrem Murray Jr., and Ciar Camper, whom she raised as her own, Keizye Collins, JaZion Molock and Akeem Davis; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Tyrome Elliott (Sandra), Baltimore, MD and Charles Jackson (Salisbury, MD); two sisters, Margaret Simms (Tommy), Baltimore, MD and Renako Randall (Baltimore, MD); one aunt that she looked up to as a second mother, Pensacola Sampson; two uncles, Palestine Elliott Sr. (Mary), Odenton, MD and Frederick Elliott (Constance), Cambridge, MD; three nieces, Kian Randall and Lauren Elliott (both of Baltimore, MD) and Cristi Carruthers, Atlanta, GA; three nephews, Kenny and Ryan Elliott (both of Baltimore, MD) and Lavone Ward Sr. (Catonsville, MD); close and devoted friends, Darlene Waters, Laurie Dean, Lynette Sampson, Marie Daniels, Brenda, Doris and Sheila Abbott and Shellie Mathias; four adopted sisters, Elsie Anderson, Constance Elliott, Carla Young, Daphne Dolberry and Brenda Foreman and a host of devoted cousins, other relatives and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Arvil Jenkins, a sister, Beverly Elliott, a brother, Terrence Jenkins, a niece, Teresa Strawberry and several aunts and uncles.