Turquois Unique Mercedes Jenkins

Our beloved Turquois Unique Mercedes Jenkins was born on October 9, 1991, to the proud parents of the late Clifford Jerome Jenkins and Denitra Lechelle Brown in Champaign, IL. She was affectionately known as “Our Butterfly”. A beautiful soul who appreciated all her family and friends unconditionally. 

Turquois graduated from Champaign Centennial High School on May 25, 2010, and later received her Certified Nurse’s Assistant Certificate from the Urbana Adult Education Program. Turquois was a diligent worker and served in the capacities of a compassionate home health care provider as well a sub-bus driver for the Champaign Unit 4 Transportation Department.

Turquois believed in God and accepted Christ Jesus as her Lord and Savior weeks before her transition. Her last words, while being visited by her aunt, Minister Jennette Jenkins were “Through It All God, I Trust You!”

On September 3, 2023, Turquois Jenkins departed and made her transition from this world. She was a loving mother, a caring daughter, sibling, and wonderful friend.  Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her four loving children: daughters, Ta’njya Jenkins, Armani White, Trinity James; only son, Tyire James; mother, Denitra Brown; four brothers, Malando Shamar McMillion, Dezmond Jenkins, DeArion Jenkins, and Nicolas (Bam) Griffin; four sisters, Charlene Jenkins, Kiristie Ivy, Trenee White, and Tyesha Sade; aunts, Latonya Brown, Deanna Pelmore, Jennette Jenkins, Jefferyann Jenkins, and Charlene Jenkins; uncles, Glenn (Melinda) Jenkins, Robert Caston, Anthony Brown, Coriando Brown, Shannon Brown, Derrick Lambert, and Christopher Hugger; paternal grandmother, Joann Pelmore; maternal great-grandmother, Pearlene Brown; great uncle, Briscoe Brown; great-aunt, Darlene Sallee; best friends, Aletra Hunt, Kquierra Thompson, Okeima Hampton, Tonisha Brown, and Ernyse Blanson; special friend, Trayvon James; and, a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Turquois was proceeded in death by her father, Clifford Jenkins; maternal grandmother, Wilma Brown-Hugger; paternal step-grandfather, John Pelmore; one aunt, Lizzie Jenkins; and, two first cousins, Tenesha Jenkins and Jasma Cobb.

A celebration of life will commence at 11:00 am Friday September 22, 2023 at Salem Baptist Church . Eulogist: Pastor Jordan Simmons. A visitation will begin at 10 am until the time of the service.  Burial will be held at  Woodlawn-Lincoln Cemetery, Urbana, at 1:30 p.m

Public viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday Sept. 21 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home, 1215 W. Bradley Ave., U.rbana.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Turquois Unique Mercedes Jenkins, please visit our floral store.