Saida "Laura" Rice Jenkins

JENKINS Saida "Laura" Rice Jenkins, 87, died Sunday, August 29, 2010 at her home in New Orleans. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Woodland Presbyterian Church, 5824 Berkley Drive, Algiers-New Orleans, Louisiana. Pastor John W. Uhl will officiate. Interment will be in The National Park Cemetery, Falls Church, Virginia. Laura was born December 31, 1922 in Orrtanna, Pennsylvania, to the late James E. Rice Sr. and Marie L. (Mary Craighead) Harris Rice. The family moved to Arlington, Virginia when she was in her early teens where she graduated from Washington-Lee High School. During World War II Laura worked for the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. In November 1944, she married William Dewey Jenkins in San Francisco, California. M/SGT Jenkins died in 1959. Laura graduated with honors in 1963 from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She was an elementary school educator in Fairfax County, Virginia for over 20 years before retiring in 1985. While she was in Virginia, she became an avid Washington Redskins football fan. Laura resided in New Orleans for over 15 years where she was a member of Woodland Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed reading, woodcarving, traveling, and visiting with her family and friends. During one of their trips Laura and her sister, Janice stumbled upon a unique festival in Woodstock, New York where they found the young folks to be "a very happy bunch". Laura had many beautiful cats through the years, and we imagine her embracing them now at the Rainbow Bridge. Laura was a devoted and loving mother and friend who was a blessing to all. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her. The youngest of four, Laura was predeceased by Janice M. Hedrick, Margaret E. Gawen, and James E. Rice Jr. She is survived by her children: Larry W. Jenkins (Pamela R.) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Linda M. Jenkins (Joseph M. Baugnon) of New Orleans, Louisiana; Leslie K. Green (Stephen E.) of Syracuse, Utah; Lloyd W. Jenkins of Hagerstown, Maryland; her seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and a host of loving family and friends. The family would like to thank her physician of many years Dr. Richard C. Kline, Dr. S. Cameron Emerson; the staff and residents at the Villas of Woldenberg Village for their friendship and support; the staff and residents of St. Luke's Living Center for their warmth and compassion; the sitters who remained devotedly and vigilantly by her side; and St. Margaret's Hospice for their expertise and gentle care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Animal Allies, P. O. Box 7040, Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039-7040 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Davis Mortuary Service 230 Monroe St. Gretna, La. To view and sign the guest book, please go to www.davismortuaryservice.com.