Annie Ruth Jenkins

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1Thessalonians 5:18

On the afternoon of Friday, November 28, 2025, in the midst of the season of Thanksgiving, Annie Ruth Jenkins answered the voice of her Heavenly Father to leave her earthly home to enter into the gates of her new resting place.

A beloved mother, sister, aunt and friend, Annie Ruth was born June 28, 1940 to the late Zola Gant and Lucy Ladson Gant in Round O, SC.

At an early age, Annie Ruth became a member of Mt. Zion AME Church where she worshipped and served faithfully. She attended the public schools of Colleton County and took pride in her daily attendance.

Upon the threshold of adulthood, Annie Ruth was joined in holy matrimony to the late John Jenkins. To this union, she was blessed with 2 children – 1 son, John Jr, who preceded her in death and 1 daughter, her beloved Barbara.

Marriage was short lived for Annie Ruth. Upon the dissolution of her marriage and in an effort to provide the best for her daughter, Annie Ruth transitioned to New York, New York, where she took on a job opportunity that instantly landed her an additional family.

Annie Ruth worked as a caregiver for the late affluent Dr. and Mrs. Jerome Marks, and most of her adulthood was spent tending to their care and needs. Dr. and Mrs. Marks loved Annie Ruth dearly and accepted her as their extended family member, making their home, hers as well.

During her residency in New York, Annie Ruth became a devoted member of St. Mark United Methodist Church where she loved to sing and praise the Lord. Attending church was an instant automatic for Annie Ruth for she loved the Lord and had a heart for worship.

Annie Ruth worked, lived and fellowshipped in New York for 42 years, coming home EVERY Summer and Christmas of all 42 years to the sweet aroma of her most loved, home cooked perlo rice, dry lima beans and fried chicken, as there was no substitute for this meal on 5th Avenue of New York.

When her mother’s health began to fail, Annie Ruth retired and moved back home where her presence brought love, joy and hours of endless humor to those around her up until the moment of her final breath. The laughter and love that overflowed out of the soul of Annie Ruth will forever remain precious in the hearts of those who loved her.

Annie Ruth was preceded in death by 7 siblings: Mary Lee Gant, Josie Erma Gant, Wiley Gant, Herbert Gant, Elenora Gant, Hannah Cunningham, and Arthur Gant.

Left to cherish her priceless memories: daughter, Barbara Ann Jenkins of the home, a niece raised and cared for as a daughter, Josephine Gant along with her son, Tyler Diggs who affectionally referred to Annie Ruth as “Nana.”

Siblings: Geraldine Bright, Willie E. Gant (Gloria), Shirley M. Williams (Eugene), Edith Campbell and Annette Gant all of Walterboro, SC, along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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