Ramona Kay Jenkins Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

“Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.” -Henry B.Adams Ramona Kay Jenkins, born August 30, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio, the youngest child of Donald and Beatrice Ford, died on October 11, 2018. A graduate of the University of Toledo, and a former Rockette, Mona began her teaching career in Florida in 1970, where she met and married Roger Jenkins. The family, now including two daughters, moved back to Toledo in 1975. Mona then joined the faculty of All Saints Catholic School (formerly Alter) in Rossford, Ohio, where she worked for over thirty years as a junior high teacher. In 1979, a third daughter was born, to complete their family. Mona earned her Masters Degree in Education in 1985. As a Social Studies and Language Arts teacher, Ms. J. impacted the lives of hundreds of students. Believing every student was special and deserved the opportunity to become the best student they could be, Mona went above and beyond to make her belief a reality. From cross country coach, master fund-raiser, quiz bowl moderator, speech competition coach, spelling bee coordinator, track coach, DC class trip event planner, to school theatre production director, Mona was the living embodiment of “servant leader”. She devoted her life to teaching, always striving for each of her students to know self-worth, self-confidence, and love because of her presence in their lives. Mona loved her friends, including her Bunco and All Sts. Retiree groups, travel, casinos, running, good food, and Broadway musicals. Her love of family was a constant in her life, but her love of her grandchildren could be compared to no other. Each and every grandchild was ‘her person’, and her passion for them was an extraordinary thing to witness. She enjoyed watching them play basketball, soccer, fishing, perform in plays, get dressed up for school dances, homecoming/prom, draw and create their numerous Picasso artworks, and build their Legos and Minecraft cities. She shared in creating special memories at Great Wolf Lodge and Disney trips, and supported them with their science fair projects and educational endeavors. Waiting to meet her in heaven along with her parents were her sister-in-law, Susie and niece, Julie Ford. Waiting here on earth to one day see her again are her husband, C. Rogers Jenkins Jr.; daughters Kami (Chris) Nolte, Krisa (Andy) Rhodes, and Katie; grandchildren Mikayla, Zain, and Ashtin Rhodes, Hannah and Chris Nolte and Autumn and Tucker Nichols; brother Ronald (Elizabeth) Ford; nephew Scott (Katie); sister-in-law Camelia Fouraker; niece Alden; and brother-in-law Frank (Kathy) Jenkins. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take form of contributions to the following: National Autism Association of Southeast Ohio (NAASEO) at 10 West Overlook Drive Zanesville, Ohio 43701 in Ramona’s name. The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms from too many people to name individually, yet including FRAS, Bunko tribe, Ramona’s medical team for their wisdom and compassion throughout her journey, and family and friends – either through their prayer and/or visits, and even random acts of kindness through total “strangers”. A special thank you to Dr. Adam Walters’ and his staff at his practice and the Flower Hickman Cancer Center, the caregivers at Ebied Hospice Residence, Grogan Towne family and Marc Ray, Patti Irons, Terri Mills, Jim and Mary Cox, Sister Iraneaus, Fr. Joesph Steinbauer, Sister Jordan Schaefer. Family, friends, former students, and others whose lives Ramona touched are invited November 11, 2018, the immediate family will be hosting Visiting Hours (2:00 PM-4:00 PM) to reminisce, support each other, of course just chat followed by a Celebration of Life Ceremony (4:00 PM to 5:00PM) at the Maumee River Yacht Club, 2735 Broadway St., Toledo, Ohio, 43609. The family requests that you bring a copy of a picture (make sure you sign it) or a story to share.

Ramona Kay Jenkins

August 30, 1947 - October 11, 2018