Jenkins, Betty Carol (Williams) (81) previously of Columbia Heights died after a long illness April 16th, 2024. Betty was born January 22, 1943 in Richmond, VA while her father was serving overseas during WW II. She is preceded in death by her parents, George Floyd Williams and Hazel Irene Williams of Petersburg, VA, and her loving husband of nearly 50 years, John Edward Jenkins. Betty and John met and married in Virginia while he was stationed locally in the Army. They relocated to Minneapolis after they wed, and later moved to Columbia Heights, MN to live and raise their family. She maintained strong connections to family and friends in Virginia throughout her life. She is survived by her three daughters; Susan Long (Cory), Laura Uecker (Jeff), and Deborah Allen (Steven), as well as 3 grandsons, Benjamin Uecker, Elliot Uecker, and Wilson Allen, all of whom she was fiercely proud and supportive. She was a loving mother and grandmother, had many friends whom she treasured. Her passions were her family and home. She was skilled in both knitting/crocheting, and later quilting, using these talents to create beautiful items to share with others in her family and community. She loved the outdoors, gardening at home, and camping when her children were young. Later, as empty nesters, she and John enjoyed traveling throughout the US as they prepared for retirement, and even traveled to Scotland, England and Italy when her youngest grandson was born. She was active in her community while her children were growing and is well remembered as a "marching band mom", as well as an election judge during that time. She had a great love for music, and a beautiful singing voice that many who knew her will remember fondly. She is also survived by four siblings in Virginia, Gene Williams (Mary), Brenda Ridout, Susan Daniel (Steven), and Robert Charles Williams (Vanessa), as well as nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Alzheimer's Association via their website at alz.org Washburn-McReavy.com Hillside Chapel 612-781-1999