Carolyn Norris Jenkins

On September 25, 1939, Carolyn Laura Rogers was born to Edna Aldred Rogers and Thomas Rogers in Zanesville, Ohio. A graduate of Zanesville High School, Carolyn relocated to Columbus to live and raise her family. She retired from the State of Ohio after 33 years of service with the Department of Education. She was a member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Forever Young Auxiliary at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, both of which are located in Columbus. Carolyn was an avid bowler, often competing in state and national tournaments. She loved to travel and enjoyed walking in Blacklick Metro Park, where she walked daily until prevented by her illness. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, and with a mother’s love, she traveled to California to help care for her daughter-in-law whenever she was needed. Carolyn L. (Norris) Jenkins left us peacefully on the morning of Sunday, January 26, 2014, surrounded by her loving family at the Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband John “JJ” Jenkins, her parents Thomas and Edna Rogers, and two brothers Thomas “Sonny” Rogers, Jr. and Roy Rogers. Left behind to cherish memories of Carolyn are her three sons, Michael A. “Skip” Norris (Alisha) of Murrieta, California, Roger (Leila) Norris of Gahanna, Ohio, and Scott Norris of Columbus, Ohio; five grandsons, Lamar and Nehemiah, both of California, Marlon of Pennsylvania, Brayland and Grant, both of Ohio; three granddaughters, Jacarri of Georgia, Stephanie and Elly, both of Ohio; one great grandson Lorence of Georgia; three sisters, Mary (Willis) Howard, Shirley Turner, and Charlene Williams Smith, all of Columbus, Ohio; and a host of stepchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.