Lurline Elizabeth Gilbert Jenkins

Lurline Elizabeth Gilbert Jenkins, 77, of Vancleave, MS, entered into the gates of Heaven on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 in Sugar Land, TX. Mrs. Lurline was born in Biloxi, MS to Julius Paul Gilbert, Sr. and Alma Lamey Gilbert on October 10, 1935. She attended Biloxi High School and traveled throughout the States as a military spouse. She worked many years in the seafood industry and retired from Jeff Davis Elementary where she loved working and being around children. She was of the Catholic Faith. Mrs. Lurline’s children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. The legacy of Mrs. Lurline’s kind spirit, passion for cooking, love of holidays and zest for life will live on forever. She enjoyed living on the MS Gulf Coast. She always enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends especially during the holidays and on Sundays. Her infamous meals included gumbo, red beans and rice, pork roast and fried chicken. She loved Mardi Gras parades, classic movies, cooking channels, playing video poker and shopping. Spending time with her family and friends always brought her great joy. Whether celebrating birthdays, holidays or family gatherings our time spent with her will be cherished forever. She was a joy to be around with her dimples and charismatic smile. She could always make people laugh with her incredible sense of humor. Her family and friends will always remember her as loving, carefree and never missing the opportunity to dance around her house. She lived a life full of love and had a sassy sense of style and humor. She was a beloved wife of 50 years, a loving mother, grandmother (“Maw-Maw”), caring sister and friend to many. We will miss our time with her and look forward to meeting her again in Heaven someday. Mrs. Lurline is preceded in death by her parents Julius Paul Gilbert, Sr. and Alma Marie Lamey; husband William Hal Jenkins; brother Larry John Gilbert; nephew Robert “Earl” Robbins; and step-mother Elsie Gilbert. Mrs. Lurline is survived by her sons, Keith Jenkins (Karen) of Edmonton, Canada, Hal Jenkins (Joann) of Saucier, MS and Greg Jenkins (Debbie) of Gretna, LA; her daughter, Christine Hotard (Danny) of Missouri City, TX; her grandchildren, Gwen Jacob, Keith Jenkins, Kristian Spear, Dixie Jenkins, Daniel Jenkins and Riley Hotard; six great-grandchildren; her sisters, Joyce Whitfield (Bill) and Carolyn Messer (Bobby); her brother, Julius P. Gilbert, Jr. (Linda); and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to her caregiver Terri Johnson, Touching Hearts at Home, Seven Acres care facility, The Crescent in the Houston Texas area and Mr. Gary Dubaz for his compassionate support. John 14:1-2 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association - Mississippi Chapter, 196 Charmant Drive, Suite 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 3, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Blessed Francis Seelos Catholic Church, 360 Lameuse Street, Biloxi, MS with an 11:00 a.m. Mass. Interment will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.