Maxine Jenkins

Nellie Mae and Ernest Brookins gave birth to their third of five children, Maxine (Brookins) Jenkins in Andersonville, Georgia on July 9th, 1944. When Maxine was a child her family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio where her mother became a homemaker and father worked for the Cincinnati Railroads. Maxine graduated from Taft High School and held a career in the nursing field where she found her passion for taking care of others. 

September 26, 1971, Maxine married Mitchell Jenkins. After two years of marriage they welcomed their daughter Melissa. In the late 70s, they relocated to California where they conceived and gave birth to their second daughter Margaret. During the mid-80s, Maxine relocated her family back to Cincinnati. In the early 90s, Maxine took in her cousin, Minnie Trotter, her elder of 18 years. At this time, Maxine suffered the most difficult time in her life when she lost her husband in 1994 and didn't get to say her final goodbyes to the man she loved so dearly. Along this timing she endured through open heart surgery that spawned from a heart murmur that she was born with. But, this didn't stop Maxine, she continued to work, provide for her family and took pride in taking care of her mother who she cared for from the late 90s until her mother’s passing in 2002. 

In 2001, her great-nieces were in need so she took them in as her own and loved them as her grandchildren. That was Maxine, taking care of everyone. We believe, this is what she was put here on Earth to do, be a blessing for those in need. Maxine was able to withstand anything that life threw at her until October 2018. She was hit with a crashing blow, the loss of her eldest daughter, Melissa. She tried hard to put her best face forward and pushed until Thanksgiving weekend. She passed away from what she called "Old Timers", November 27, 2018. 

Maxine lived a long fulfilling life, including creating a life with her husband, watching her daughters create lives of their own,  being a part of her grandchildren lives, and helping those in need. Maxine kept up the good fight! She fought for her daughters. She fought for her grandkids. Maxine fought for people who may not even know it. That was Maxine, she was a fighter and now may Maxine rest peacefully knowing that she gave a good fight!

Maxine leaves behind two siblings Lillie Mae and Shedrick (Sr) Brookins. A daughter, Margaret Renee Patton, bonus daughter, Audra Ewing, and son-in-law, Nicholas Patton. Twelve grandchildren: Kendra, Nikki, Janaka, Darrikka, Dj, Shaira, Aiesha, Khalela, Savannah, NiAngela, Christine, and India. Five great grandchildren: Deondre, Joesya, Brooklyn, Yasine, and Ismael.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. 

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Mitchell Jenkins.  Mother and father, Nellie Mae and Ernest Brookins.  Sisters Ernestine and Shirley Brookins.  
Aunt Cora Lee Jamison. Daughter, Melissa Fay Jenkins, and bonus son, Kenneth Johnson. Nephews Fredrick and Shedrick (Jr) Brookins.

“If you want something done, you gotta do it yourself!” ~ Maxine

Visitation is from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm, on  Saturday, December 15, 2018, at the Walker Event Center, 3939 Reading Road (Corner of Reading and Paddock), Cincinnati  (45229).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 3:00 pm.

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Walker Funeral Home, 3939 Reading Road (corner of Reading and Paddock), North Avondale (45229)  is serving the  Jenkins family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.

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