Nina Carolyn Jenkins

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Owens Funeral Home
5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd
North Little Rock, AR  72116
Friday, May 19, 2023
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Service Schedule
Graveside
Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery
1501 W. Maryland Ave.
North Little Rock, AR  72120
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
12:00 p.m.
Cemetery
Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery
1501 W. Maryland Ave.
North Little Rock, AR  72120
Nina Carolyn Jenkins

of North Little Rock, AR

January 10, 1939 - May 16, 2023

Nina Carolyn (Craig) Jenkins - Jan 10, 1939 - May 16, 2023.

Nina-Carolyn to most- was born in Poteet, TX in 1939, to Mary Nina Craig and Ellis Craig. Her father worked for the railroad, so she lived a life of travel, including a move to Anchorage, Alaska, where Carolyn graduated from high school. In Anchorage, she met and married Air Force airman Clay S. Jenkins in 1957. They were married for 60 years and raised three daughters, Marye Anne, Teresa and Michele.

Carolyn was the bedrock of the family, coordinating moves, raising the children, keeping her husband on track, amidst a life of constantly being transferred from one assignment to another, etc. While the roles of wife and mother were important to Carolyn, she was so much more. She loved to dance and excelled at the Twist as a teenager. She loved music of almost any kind, ranging from Chubby Checkers to Sonny and Cher, Herb Alpert, Floyd Cramer and any musical. She loved travel, going to California, Thailand, Germany and France, among other places. She was an avid reader and was rarely seen at rest without a book in her hand. She passed these passions on to her daughters and they are profoundly grateful. She became deeply involved in the Rape Crisis Center, offering help, comfort and support to countless victims.

Along the way, she was loved by everyone and as the saying goes, she "never met a stranger." She and Clay made life-long companions wherever they went and seemed to be the pivot point among their circle of friends. For her friends, she was a counselor, a therapist, a travel buddy and sometimes a vicious opponent in card games. Friends she made were friends for life.

Nina is survived by her brother, Ellis M. Craig; her three daughters, Marye Anne Simkulet, Teresa Robison and Michele Jenkins; grandchildren, Crystal Knauer, Carly Martinsky, Cassie Boyd, Rachel Vigil, Carnell Robison and Cordell Robison; as well as great-grandchildren, Jon Martinsky Sofia Boyd, Jason Jagger Halstrom and Ethan. To her younger brother, she was the cool older sister. To her daughters, she was friend, counselor, mentor and consummate role model on how to be a mother and how to be a person.

Nina is joining her beloved husband and family who went before her and will be greatly missed by those she is leaving behind.

Visitation will be Friday, May 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, North Little Rock. Graveside service will be Tuesday, May 23 at 12:00 p.m. at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery.

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5 Condolence(s)
Billy Patton
Ennis, TX
Liked
Tuesday, May 23, 2023

RIP cuz

Sarah G Breshears
SHERWOOD, AR
Liked
Monday, May 22, 2023

I met Carolyn at water aerobics classes at St. Vincent North, and she became a dear friend. In fact, that class because close friends and we celebrated holidays together, shared pot luck dinners, and formed long-lasting friendships with each other. Carolyn was always so much fun to be around. So sad to hear about her and Clay.

James and vicki rucker
Scott, AR
Liked
Thursday, May 18, 2023

We met Carolyn through another dear friend as we were all in swim class together.. she was always a lady of grace and love.. as a couple Clay and Carolyn were the perfect pair.. one could see and feel the love each had for the other one and their family.. Carolyn never complained and always listened and offered her advice for her friends.. she is missed

Lakewoodhouse friends
North Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, May 18, 2023

Our prayers are with you and your family

Sarah Russell
Friendswood, TX
Liked
Wednesday, May 17, 2023

I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are for all of her family. Sarah Russell