Barbara Ann Jenkins

On January 4, 2023, Barbara Ann Jenkins, (nee Hess) dear wife of Charles P. Jenkins; loving mother of Kelly Jenkins-Pultz and her husband Stephen Pultz, Michael C. Jenkins and his wife Barbara Jenkins, Elizabeth Jenkins and Dawn Berry; dear grandmother of Anthony and Dominic Pultz, Jennifer Frisby and her husband Jeremy Frisby, Christopher Jenkins and the late Jesse Jenkins, Mykel and Azay McClain; beloved great-grandmother of Jeremy and Jalen Frisby, Mikayla and Jazmyne Jenkins.

If you’ve ever seen the Broadway musical or movie Hairspray, you’ve had a glimpse into the teenage years Barbara experienced in Baltimore – as she told us many times – we danced!  It’s how she fell in love with her husband, Charles, on the dance floor at teen center.  Charles’ large family and many sisters and brothers welcomed her warmly.

Barbara married Charles in 1961 and just recently celebrated her 61st wedding anniversary.  They started their family soon after with Kelly born the following year and Michael nearly 2 years later.  As a young homemaker, Barbara enjoyed decorating, cooking, and made lifelong friends with her neighbors, who became like extended family.  She worked a variety of jobs on the side before becoming a waitress at Sabatino’s in Little Italy where she made more lifelong friends.  The family later moved to Carroll County and Beth was born shortly after.  Charles’ job took the family to Huntington Beach, California for a few years, but another job move saw the family relocated back to Catonsville for a few years before settling in Howard County and welcoming Beth’s friend Dawn into their home as a third daughter.

Barbara was very entrepreneurial.  She started her own home cleaning service for several years before deciding to follow a life long dream and purchased Lark Brown Liquors, where she took her little toy poodle Amy with her to greet the customers.  After running the business for many years, she sold it and turned her attention back to cooking, time with grandchildren and spending time with her dad, Andrew Hess.  But never one to stay home too long, she later took a job at Mars as a cashier and customer service representative, where many customers preferred to wait in line to chat with her while she rang up their groceries rather than check out faster in other check out ques.

Barbara always loved music, dancing, laughing and a good party.  She was a warm and generous host and kind friend.  Dogs knew she was special too, and she cared for many of her own dogs and grand dogs over the years.

A memorial service  will be held at the family-owned Candle Light Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 beginning at 10 AM. Interment private. www.candlelightfuneralhome.com