Reatha Mae Govan Jenkins, daughter of the late George and Ethnell Govan was born on August 10, 1943, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Reatha moved to New York at an early age and graduated from Central Commercial High School. She met and married George Allen Jenkins and had their only child, Sharon.
Later in life she returned to school and received her bachelor’s degree from the College of New Rochelle. Reatha worked for the New York City Department of Social Service, New York City Human Resource Administration, The Bureau of Security Services, (BOSS) as a Shelter Security Manager and retired from the New York City Department of Homeless Services as the Superintendent of Shelters.
After retirement she joined Centempo Travels and Tours and combined her love of family, traveling, and music with cruises to the Caribbean and Europe, with her favorite Jazz, R&B and Caribbean entertainers. Although it took some years of convincing Reatha, she finally made her way to Columbus, Ohio to be chauffeured, pampered, loved on by her three heartbeats (Aaliyah, AJ, and Adam) and the Slappy and Gatewood families.
Reatha believed God’s grace and mercy carried her through all of life’s challenges and truly believed she had a life well lived.
She is preceded in death by parents, George and Ethnell Govan; stepfather, David Halley; sisters; Georgia Mae Govan Brockett and Mossie Ann Govan Bentley; former husband, George Allen Jenkins; and niece Beatrice Cassandra Brockett.
Reatha leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Sharon (Anthony) Slappy; nieces; Deborah Brockett (John) Brown, Pamela Brockett: nephews, Larry Brockett, and Charles Arius Bentley (Iyesha Chestnut): grandnephews Cory (Sierra)Brockett and Romell (Alicia) Brocket, brother-in-law Stanley Jenkins: sister-in-law Ingrid William-Scott; grandchildren, Aaliyah, Nicole Slappy, Anthony Jamal Slappy and Adam Christopher Slappy; Lifelong friends Jeanne Banks, Angela Smith, and Carl (Julie) Bartlett, family-in-love Peggy Ann Gatewood, Joseph (Rachel) Slappy and a host of other family and friends.
Visitation 1:00 PM and Private Memorial Service 2:00 PM Saturday, February 5, 2022 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd).
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Will truly be missed. My sympathy and my heartfelt condolence to Sharon and family.
My sympathies to my niece and her family
I’m going to miss my sister in law and long Time friend. Especially our remembering of days long gone. My thoughts of you.will always be with me.
Love always to sharon and everyone
Julia Bartlett: A Reflection
February 2, 2022
Reatha was a true family friend-caring, loving and compassionate. One endearing memory that demonstrates the kind of person Reatha was took place in 2010 when she encouraged me to take my 96-year-old mom on a cruise ensuring that she would be right there to assist me with mom’s care. That’s just what Reatha did. She provided the much-needed assistance that I needed to make this endeavor successful as we saw to the needs of our cruise clientele. Mom and Reatha became real buddies. She made mom smile and laugh and just enjoyed the time they spent together.
As Eleanor Roosevelt stated,” Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends leave footprints in your heart.” That’s where our dear friend Reatha will remain, in our hearts.
Sincere condolences to our sister Ingrid Williams Scott on the death of Reatha Mae. She will be missed. May she Rest In Peace and Rise in Glory.
From the Scott family
To Sharon, family and friends,
What Reatha meant to our family could never be conveyed in words. Reatha’s passion to help others was just who she was. She’ll be missed forever and a day. One love!
My deepest and heartfelt condolences to my niece Sharon and her family. My prayers are with you all. I will always have wonderful memories of Reatha’s smile and her natural warmth towards others. Reatha is no longer with us physically, but her beautiful spirit will remain in our hearts forever. Rest well my sister in law.
Reatha, since you will always live in our hearts, this message is fondly addressed to You, Sharon, family, friends and former co-workers.
Reatha, speaking for the many who have had the good fortune of meeting and knowing you, and being able to experience your caring, giving and supportive ways, you will be missed, while at the same time being etched in our hearts for a lifetime.
A personal reflection: Reatha shared how thankful she was for the love and care extended to her from her loving daughter Sharon, wonderful son-in-law Anthony and amazing grandchildren Aaliyah, AJ and Adam. As Reatha transitioned, she did so with unbridled love for her family.
To Sharon and family it brought me great joy when your mom made her move to columbus, Ohio. Even though it was for a little while I was honor every time I was in her presence. Her journey is complete on this earth. However her spirit will be forever in our hearts… May God comfort you and your family during this trying time… all our love your neighbors across the street. Lamonte, Paulette, and Kendall
My condolences to Sharon, Anthony and family. Reatha, my best and closest friend. Always smiling and pleasant, even when suffering. Will forever be missed and remembered by me and my family.
To Sharon and Family,
Auntie Re-Re will forever be a part of our family. Thank you for sharing her with us.
With love and deepest condolences,
Reatha, since you will always live in our hearts, this message is fondly addressed to You, Sharon, family, friends and former co-workers.
Reatha, speaking for the many who have had the good fortune of meeting and knowing you, and being able to experience your caring, giving and supportive ways, you will be missed, while at the same time being etched in our hearts for a lifetime.
A personal reflection: Reatha shared how thankful she was for the love and care extended to her from her loving daughter Sharon, wonderful son-in-law Anthony and amazing grandchildren Aaliyah, AJ and Adam. As Reatha transitioned, she did so with unbridled love for her family.
Dear Tony, Sharon, Alia, Jamal and Adam Slappy.
Our hearts were sadden to hear of the loss of your dear mother Ms. Reatha Govan- Jenkins, your mother-in-law and grandmother. No matter what your trials are, or how big your mountain seems; The Lord is there to see you through.
We are sorry we can not be with you in your time of sorrow. Please know that our hearts are with you as you go through this difficult time.
Tony and Sharon with a loving heart, patience and tender care you took care of your dear mother and mother-in-law. Your acts of kindness were well pleasing in the sight of God.
Alia, Jamal and Adam the Lord blessed you with a wonderful grandmother no one will ever take her place. We know the family will miss her greatly.
Always remember, her warm smile, the love and laughter you shared. Those precious members will bring you joy.
We love you all and we are praying for you.
Much Love, Uncle Steve and Ellen Dinkins & Family
God’s Blessings and Comfort to Sharon (Reatha’s babygirl); Aaliyah, AJ, & Adam (Reatha’s 3 grandbabies); Anthony (Reatha’s dear son-in-law); and to all Reatha’s other Family and Friends.
It is with a heavy, heavy heart that I say “goodbye” to my longest and dearest friend, Reatha Mae.
My heart is sad that Reatha has gone from among us all here on earth. But, by God’s Grace and Mercy, my heart is also filled with gladness and joy knowing that Reatha is now “Face-to-face” in Heaven with our Lord and Savior “Jesus Christ”.
God’s Love and our Love always..
Wow,sorry to hear of Reatha’s transition to the Ancestral realm.
I know this was a tremendous loss to you.
Ma’at Hotep.