Gwynell "Gwen" Horne Jenkins

Gwen Jenkins passed away peacefully at the age of 72 on Monday, November 7, 2022, at 2:15am in Fairhope, AL with her daughter by her side.

Gwen was born on June 1, 1950, in West Monroe, LA to Ruby Arthurs Horne and Charles “Charlie” Horne. She was the youngest of their two children. Gwen was a graduate of West Monroe High School. She received her bachelor and master’s degrees in Speech Pathology from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, LA. In her career as a speech pathologist, she worked in both the hospital and school settings. It was a profession and a career she was very passionate about.

In her retirement Gwen enjoyed volunteering at Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and going on mission trips with her church North Monroe Baptist Church. Gwen was a devout Christian and a student of the Bible. She was avid in her commitment to prayer, reading the Bible, church attendance, and spending time with her church group.

Gwen had a love for gardening and considered it good for the soul. In addition to growing various vegetable gardens, she grew breathtaking hydrangeas and roses. She was also known for her great home cooking, always making a little extra because you never know if someone might stop by. A gracious host along with her husband, particularly at Thanksgiving, this family gathering was not complete without her shrimp etouffee, crawfish rice dressing, and cornbread dressing for which she had picked up the torch to carry on the tradition of her mother-in-law. Her skills in the kitchen extended to baking where every Christmas she was especially excited to bake her grandchildren’s favorite Christmas cookies. In addition to the yard and the kitchen, the other place she loved to be was the beach…a place that could possibly be considered Gwen’s own Heaven on Earth. And of course, it is almost impossible to think of Gwen and not think of her with her beloved dog, Rose…ever at Gwen’s side, frequently taking walks together, and even known by name by the baristas at Starbucks.

Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Jenkins, by her parents Ruby and Charlie, by her brother Raymond Horne, and by her brother-in-law Glen Jenkins. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Tiffany and David Dye, her grandchildren Jackson “Jack” Donald and Claire Donald, her step-grandchildren Abigail “Abbie” Dye Cortopassi, Emily Dye, Megan Dye, and Rachel Dye. She is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Margaret Horne, Janice and Kenny Jenkins, Sarah Jenkins, Avanelle and Gilbert Jenkins, Pat and Robert Jenkins, and Linda and William “Dub” Jenkins, as well as thirteen nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.

A funeral service for Gwen will be held on Monday, November 21 at 11:00 A.M. at North Monroe Baptist Church, preceded by visitation also on November 21 at 10:00 A.M. until time of the service at the church. A private graveside service for the family will be held at another time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, lcbh.org, 7200 DeSiard Street, Monroe, LA 71203.