Mrs. Juanita Whitehead Gill Jenkins' Obituary
Juanita Jenkins, age 86, a beloved resident of the Enon community in Franklinton, LA, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, at the home of her niece, Kathy. She was born on November 9, 1939, in Tylertown, MS, to Walter Wesley Whitehead and Eva Viola Granger Whitehead. Juanita was one of the oldest and last surviving of their 14 children.
Juanita was a devoted member of Mt. Zion United Pentecostal Church. She worked at Riverside Medical Center in Franklinton for 24 years as a CNA and provided dedicated care through various sitter services, offering love, compassion, and companionship to elderly and homebound patients throughout Washington Parish.
Though she had no biological children, Juanita learned to care for others early in life. She was cooking for her 13 siblings from the age of 5 while her parents worked in the fields. As an adult, her home became a haven for anyone who needed a safe place to sleep, a warm meal, or a listening ear. She loved hosting Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings, and helping with church meals. Her famous dishes included chicken and dumplings, chicken spaghetti, Tang pie, Georgia pecan pie, coconut cake, and a pan of her good ole’ cathead biscuits. No one ever left her home hungry – If they did, it was by their own choice. When she wasn’t caring for others or cooking, she enjoyed watching her favorite soap operas and The Price Is Right.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Devon Gill and Hansel Jenkins; her parents, Walter and Eva Viola Granger Whitehead; her brothers Thomas, twins Floyd and Lloyd, Eugene, Walter Jr., and Nora Dewitt Whitehead; her sisters, twin sister Wyoma Howell, Louise Gill, Betty Spencer, Lela Gottschalk, Peggy King, Dorothy Hill, and Mary Anthony; as well as step‑daughter Diane Jenkins Knight and step‑son Dual Jenkins.
Left to cherish Juanita’s memory are two special nieces, Kathy Taylor and Penny Keigans (Jack), both of Franklinton, LA. Juanita lovingly raised Kathy from infancy, and both Kathy and Penny were not only her nieces but her constant companions and devoted caregivers. They stood faithfully by her side through every season of life, lovingly assisting with her care and providing a steady, unwavering presence of support.
Juanita is further survived by a step‑son, Charles Jenkins, Sr. (Carole) of St. Clairsville, OH; five grandchildren: Lisa Knight Ladner (Rickey), Samantha Knight Farlow (Shelby), Kaylie Jenkins Whittington (James), Chuck Jenkins Jr. (Ariana), and Adam Scott Jenkins; fifteen great‑grandchildren; numerous great‑great‑grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation and Funeral Service will be held at Brown‑McGehee Funeral Home, 610 Avenue F, Bogalusa, LA 70427 on Thursday, January 22.
Visitation: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Funeral Service: Begins at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel
Officiants: Rev. Leon Hickman and Rev. Bryan Bates
Burial will follow at Spencer Cemetery in the Enon community of Washington Parish, LA.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Egan Hospice for their exceptional care and support, and to the Louisiana Honor Guard for Nurses for the beautiful tribute in her memory.
Pallbearers: Michael Mendheim, Jr King, Kavon Farlow, Braydon Farlow, Ben Dill, and Jimmy Weaver
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