Ruth Biles Jenkins

Lakeland - Ruth Biles Jenkins of Lakeland, FL, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. She was born on July 17, 1925 in Milledgeville, GA, to the late Aubia Jefferson Biles and Inez Cooley Biles. She spent her youth in Decatur, GA, where she went to school with and married the love of her life, Gene Jenkins, after WWII. She attended Erskine College and Auburn University, where she received her BS Degree in Education. She and her husband moved to St. Petersburg, FL, where she taught elementary school for 14 years, raised their first child, Bonnie, and worked alongside her husband, who taught and coached basketball and golf at St. Pete High School. She was a great supporter, mentor, and tutor for many of his players and students. Including hand-squeezing fresh orange juice for his teams every week to drink during their basketball games and driving a car full of basketball players to various out of town games. She was his biggest fan. In their early 40s, after their second child, Mike, was born, her husband went back to college and attained his Doctorate at the University of Florida. From there, they moved to Jacksonville, FL, where Gene was an Asst. Superintendent and Ruth continued to teach. Next stop was Ormond Beach, FL, where Gene was also an Asst. Superintendent. This is where she became a Remedial Reading Specialist and loved it. Gene was offered a head education position at Clemson University and off they went where he taught and they raised their second child, Mike. She retired from teaching to spend more time raising her son. Upon Mike's graduation from high school, they moved to Lakeland to be near their daughter and granddaughters who lived in Lakeland and their son who was attending the University of Florida. Both spent several days each week doing their favorite thing, playing golf at Cleveland Hts.Golf Club and enjoyed working in their yard. Ruth was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Gene Jenkins; and, her sister, Mary Biles Jones. She is survived by her Daughter, Bonnie Jenkins Edwards (David) Lakeland, FL, and Son, Michael G. Jenkins (Kelly) Carbondale, CO; Granddaughters, Julie Edwards Pivovarnik (John) of Lithia, FL, Shannon Edwards Stotts of New York City, Katherine Edwards Velasco (Rommel) of Riverview, FL, and Kimberly J. Edwards of St. Petersburg, FL; Grandsons, Tucker M. Jenkins (Alexis) of Clover, SC, and Griffen W. Jenkins and Carson G. Jenkins of Carbondale, CO; and Great-Grandsons, J. Alexander Pivovarnik and Nicholas D. Pivovarnik of Lithia, FL, and Oliver J. Stotts and Henry D. Stotts of New York City. She was an intelligent, kind, and spunky woman who was never afraid to say or do what she thought was right or wrong. She loved her Auburn and Clemson “Tigers” and was never shy about shouting out “War Eagle” when someone brought up Auburn. Her love for children made her a wonderful grandmother and great-grandmother. She was still climbing on ladders, cleaning out her gutters, swimming laps, and working on the families’ genealogies well into her 80s. Her grandchildren will always remember the lady who would get on the floor and play with them, run outside with them, and helped them with learning to read. She will be missed by all. Many thanks to her caregiver, Pam Pollard, who was with Ruth for the last 7 years of her life. A Graveside service for the Family will be performed by The Rev. Dr. Al W. Jenkins on August 25th at 3:00 pm. at Oak Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.