Eleanor M. Jenkins, 98, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Arcadia Rehabilitation Center in Hamilton Township, with her family by her side. Eleanor Morgan Jenkins was born on March 17, 1915 in Imlaystown, NJ to Samuel Morgan and Elethia Simbo.

In June of 1929 Eleanor's father took her to NYC to live. Eleanor continued her education and eventually graduated from Apex Beauty School, and from Washington Business School as a Secretary as one of the school's top graduates.  She was selected to work with Thelma Berlack Boozer as the Director of the Infantile Paralysis Campaign, which is currently known as the March of Dimes.  She eventually became the Director of the Harlem Uptown Division of the United Negro College Fund for 16 years.

In 1938 Eleanor became a member of the Mother AME Zion Church, in Harlem NYC.  She then organized the Boy Scouts Troop # 167, which she ran for 12 years. Throughout her career she was appointed by the Greater New York Council of the Boy Scouts of America to be the Chairwoman of the Harlem Women's Division Campaign. Eleanor raised funds to send the first Harlem Boy Scout to Philmont, Mexico for training as an explorer. This scout went onto have a successful career as the first Black Pilot for Eastern Airlines, and remained in contact with her.

In 1943 she was united in marriage to Curtis Jenkins.  Eleanor has also worked for the Board of Missions for the United Methodist Church, for 9 years. This work included arranging transportation and making reservations for missionaries going to foreign countries, as well as fund raising, and holding leadership and class positions. As a result of these accomplishments, she was selected by American Airlines to be a member of the Fair Ladies Organization. Eleanor accomplished all of this and managed to raise 3 children, Russell, Marion and William.

In 1970 she left the position at the Board of Missions and became employed by the Federal Probation Office at Foley Square in NYC. In 1980, Eleanor retired from the probation office, and in 1982 she returned to Imlaystown, NJ to raise her 2 grandchildren Lisa, and Duane Gittens.  In 1984 Eleanor returned to the work force through an agency called Green Thumb for Senior Citizens. She was employed at the Roosevelt Elementary School, in Roosevelt, NJ as a Clerk Typist. Upon leaving there, she was employed as an Assistant to the Director at the West Windsor Senior Center in Windsor, NJ. She became a volunteer in a community service center for low income families known as Checkmate, in Freehold in 1991. She left her job at the senior center when she was appointed Secretary for Checkmate and was eventually hired as an Assistant Coordinator.

In 2000 Eleanor retired from fulltime employment and worked part time as a companion helper to a 76 year old Allentown resident.  She drove her shopping and to various appointments, assisted in cooking and helped her along until her passing.

Eleanor was responsible for starting a bread program in Imlaystown, planning various projects for thanksgiving baskets, arranged the Christmas ""toys for tots"" drive, created share baskets for low income families and helped others with their utility bills and find housing. Over the years, she was active in her home church, Union AME in Allentown, where she has served as a missionary, a stewardess, a member of the finance committee, Scholarship Committee and the Improvement club as well as Coordinator for some women's day events.

Mother of the late Russell E. Morgan and Marion Elethia Gittens Hancock, Eleanor is survived by her beloved son, William I. Jenkins of Imlaystown; 19 grandchildren, Russell Jr., Rhonda, Rory, Renee, Rasan, LaVette, Keith, Robyn, Duane, Lisa, Vaughn, William Jr., Jethon, Elethia, Ashantae, Eshauna, Mensah, Curtis and Khadia; 27 great grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held 11am Saturday, June 29 ^th at the Union AME Church, 72 Church St., Allentown, NJ. Interment will follow in the Allentown Methodist Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 10am until time of service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Peppler Funeral Home, Allentown, NJ.