Nellie was finally relocated to Long Beach California approximately two years after the death of her last child, her only daughter, my mother. I tried on numerous occasions to relocate her to California but she did not want to go.  Finally, I prayed about her situation and flew to Denver to have a heart to heart talk with her.  After arriving, I sat down on her bed and asked her again to move to California.  To my amazement, she said, "I knew you were going to ask me to go with you because an angle came and told me.  So I have decided to go."  We left within a couple of days, before she could change her mind.  I will never forget how she reacted when we got to the airport.  We were waiting to board the airplane and she said, "huh, look at all these white haired people, they have more white in their hair than I do. I guess if they don't mind flying so why should I?"  Well our trip was smooth sailing as she looked out of the window in amazement, peaceful and drank her coffee.  Thank you Lord.

Some of the family said, "what are you doing taking her out there at her age?  She probably won't live more than a year and you'll be sorry!" Well she lived 10 years after moving to California, and she was happy, no stresses of trying manage her home and made lots of new friends.  Never second guess what God can do.

Shortly after moving her to Long Beach, Pastor Pierson was driving down Wardlow and saw her walking towards the blue line.  God and her angels were definitely on their job and used Rev. Pierson, to cajole her back to the facility.  There was one more such event and I had to move her to a more secure area.  She lived there until we could no longer afford to pay for assisted lived and moved her to Regency Oaks.  There she remained until she passed, five years later.  She was loved and admired by the staff, several came to her memorial in Long Beach and brought a beautiful floral arrangement. 

Her first living location was Magnolia Royale, now Mar Vista.  She lived in assisted living for five years.  During her residence she was actively involved in many of the special events, parties and national celebrations, such as July 4th.  She made friends with other residents, staff and visiting family members of other residents.  Sometimes I would visit her and found her engaged in conversation with a family member of another resident.  I remember someone saying, "Wow, she is so intelligent and speaks in full sentences.  They were always amazed at her wit and the fact that she did not look her age.  GOOD GENES!

 Some of my fondest memories were when I took her out for dinner, rides to the beach or just hang out in the car and eat junk food.  She was always excited to ride in the "yellow bucket", no matter where we went.  And despite not wearing her teeth, she got her fill of whatever she felt like eating; mostly french fries, hamburgers and iced lattés.  It was hard taking her back to the facility but my house could not accommodate her physical limitations, and I was afraid of what she might do or where she might go if I left her alone.  I was able to bring her to my house for some holidays and her 100 year birthday celebration.   

I thank the Lord for blessing me with the priveledge of caregiving for my grandmother..  . 

Nellie joined St. Stephens  Missionary Baptist Church shortly after moving to Denver, where she reared her three children and sang in the choir.  She later joined Union Baptist Church, where she was an active member for many years.  Nellie later became a member of her neighborhood church, East Denver Church of Christ, where she could walk across the street to services.   Pastor Lemon and his family were a source of encouragement and support after the death of her husband Walker in 1981.

Favorite songs

            Blessed Assurance

            It’s No secret What God Can Do

Favorite scriptures:

            The Beatitudes

            The 23rd Psalm

            The 91st Psalm

            The Lord’s Prayer

Favorite sayings:

          “God is

Omniscient     All knowing

Omnipotent     All powerful

Omnipresent    All seeing”

            “God is Love”

“Jesus loves you and so do I.”

Nellie married Norman “Walker” Jenkins, Sr. of Boulder, Colorado, and they later moved to Denver, Colorado.  They had three children, Harold, Marian and Norman Jr.  The couple also helped to raise Marvin Jenkins, other family members and foster children.

She often made homemade bread and cinnamon rolls, and canned pickles, jelly, chow chow and fruits.  After the death of her husband, she continued her long-time hobby of crocheting, and she took up ceramics, paint by number, and other activities she discovered at the two local east Denver senior centers.  Nellie volunteered at the centers and helped to serve meals during the lunch feeding program.  From time to time she participated in the centers’ talent shows by reciting one of the poems she learned as a child. 

Nellie was the last living of her 13 siblings.   Her middle name is Cherry, after the county where she was born, but she said Nellie Ruth Cherry Emanuel was too long, and so she went by Nellie Ruth.   As a child, Nellie’s family eventually left the harsh environment of Cherry County and moved to Kansas, and later to Boulder, Colorado.  There she and her two younger brothers continued school.  Many of her older brothers and sisters lived in Alliance, Nebraska and Lawrence, Kansas.

Nellie was taught the Bible at the knee of her mother, Mary Ann, who was a Christian Scientist.   

Nellie Ruth Cherry Emanuel Jenkins

Nellie Ruth Cherry Emanuel was born in Valentine, Nebraska on August 29, 1907 to Joshua Emanuel and Mary Ann Robinson Emanuel.  They were both from Canada and came to the United States with other Black settlers who moved to western Nebraska during the period of the Kincaid Homesteaders Act. The Emanuels and other Black families homesteaded what would be come Cherry County, Nebraska. 

Nellie was the last living of her 13 siblings.   Her middle name is Cherry, after the county where she was born, but she said Nellie Ruth Cherry Emanuel was too long, and so she went by Nellie Ruth.   As a child, Nellie’s family eventually left the harsh environment of Cherry County and moved to Kansas, and later to Boulder, Colorado.  There she and her two younger brothers continued school.  Many of her older brothers and sisters lived in Alliance, Nebraska and Lawrence, Kansas.