Marlene “Doris” S. Jenkins
Sunrise: February 14, 1944 Sunset: January 5, 2022
On January 5, 2022, Marlene “Doris” Jenkins peacefully passed in her home in Indianapolis, IN. She was born in South Bend, IN on February 14, 1944, to Horace and Rachel Hardy.
Marlene “Doris” Jenkins attended South Bend Central High School. She was a member of New Testament Baptist Church in South Bend, IN and transitioned to St. Augustine Catholic Church of South Bend, IN where she volunteered her time helping feed those in need next to her sister Joyce. She worked as a painter in fire rehab home restoration for many years. She enjoyed using her other trades and skills in other various jobs, such as a nursing assistant, union steward and house manager for a women’s shelter.
She was known for her gardening skills, always keeping a beautiful yard full of flowers, along with cooking, socializing, and playing numbers! She frequently discussed the previous day’s lottery numbers with her sister Phyllis and waited up every night to see what lottery numbers “fell out”. She took pride in decorating her home, enjoyed shopping, and loved spending time talking with her family and friends. She bragged on her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments and was a realist and would “tell it like it is” and you could take that to the bank! There was nothing Marlene liked better than an interesting conversation. She could have an engaging conversation with anyone with provocative or radical ideas and always ended up lighting up their day with her wisdom. She enjoyed having a cup of coffee or ice-cold Budweiser and a cigarette and could talk with you for hours!
She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Harold “Potty” D. Jenkins of Indianapolis, IN, as well as 5 children: Jennifer Jenkins of Indianapolis, IN, Scott (Jeanice) Jenkins of Indianapolis, IN, Todd Jenkins of Atlanta, GA, Chrislyn “Joy” Austin of Chicago, IL and Robbin Jenkins of Tuscon, AZ.
Marlene “Doris” is also survived by grandchildren Justin Jenkins, Kayla Alvear, Devin Jenkins, Harrison Jenkins, Konner Jenkins, Tyrus Jenkins, Jacob Jenkins and one great-granddaughter Leilani Jenkins.
She leaves behind wonderful memories with siblings Debra Diggins of South Bend, IN; Phyllis Canty of St. Paul, MN, Audrey Spencer of Missouri City, TX, Evelyn Robinson of Tucson, AZ; Horace Hardy of Tucson, AZ; Curtis (Rebecca) Hardy of South Bend, IN; Karl Hardy of South Bend, IN and Stephen (Jan) Hardy of Tucson, AZ along with a host of many other family members and friends who truly loved her.
As she makes her transition from this world, she will be welcomed by those she cherished dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Rachel Hardy, and siblings: Ronald Hardy, Joyce Kroll, Hortense MaGee, Kenneth Hardy and Mark Hardy.
Marlene “Doris” Jenkins is gone from her physical being but will be remembered and loved in memory. Her presence will be missed, but she will be forever embraced in our hearts and minds.
She leaves behind a special thank you to her hospice nurses Ryan and Amanda who she loved dearly and enjoyed their interesting conversations together. She talked about Ryan all the time and always looked forward to his visits.
Visitation will be January 13, 2022, from 12 pm - 1 pm.
Funeral services will be January 13, 2022, at 1 pm at Indiana Funeral Care.

01/24/2023 JFC