Arletta Jenkins

Mrs. Arletta Matheson Jenkins, 81, of Statesville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at her home on Sunday, July 13, 2014. Mrs. Jenkins was born in Alexander County on June 19, 1933, and was the daughter of the late Ira J. Matheson and Delia White Matheson. She was a graduate of Stony Point High School and on August 30, 1953, she married Larion W. Jenkins, who preceded her in death on March 12, 2014. Mrs. Jenkins was a retired telephone operator with Southern Bell Telephone Co. with 33 years of service. She also ran the switchboard for both Davis and Iredell Memorial Hospitals. She was a member of Stony Point Baptist Church. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Jenkins was preceded in death by one brother, Delbert Matheson and one sister, Lucille Plyler. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Jenkins of Taylorsville, four sisters, Hazel Gant of Taylorsville, Phyllis Prichard of Hiddenite, Dorothy Geerdes (Alvin) of St. Paul, MN, and Margaret Smith (Joe) of Charlotte, NC along with one brother, Fred Matheson (Doris) of Stony Point. She is also survived by two sister-in-laws, Milledean Miller (Ronnie) and Alta Mae Jenkins, both of Taylorsville. She is further survived by two special nieces, Alice Prichard and Bonnie Jurney along with special friends and caregivers Mary Carson and Judy Gambrell. A host of nieces and nephews also survive. The family would like the extend their sincerest gratitude to the caregivers, Vonda Imes, Blanche Geter, Gail Tucker, Billie Jean Holbrook, Diane Speaks, Twana Allison, Mary Holbrook, Teresa Rufty, and Betty Privette, all of whom worked tirelessly and with much love to help care for Arletta during her illness. Funeral services for Mrs. Jenkins will be conducted at 12:00 PM Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at Stony Point Baptist Church with Rev. Phil Addison and Rev. James Lockee officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:30 until 12:00 pm at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Arletta Jenkins.