Shirley Rae Abraham

Shirley Rae Jenkins was born to Clarence Jenkins Sr. and Viola Jenkins on February 17, 1945, in Mansfield, LA. She was the sixth of sixteen children, 7 brothers and 9 sisters. Shirley attended school in the Desoto Parrish school system. Shirley later married George E. Abraham Sr. of Mansfield, LA. To this union were born two sons, Gerald Abraham and George Abraham Jr. George preceded her in death. While growing up in Louisiana, Shirley, along with her siblings, were members of the Eastside Church of God in Christ, a Pentecostal faith. Shirley rededicated her life to Christ while a resident of the St. Paul nursing center in Denver, CO. Shirley worked as a nurse’s assistant for over 20 years, before becoming a nanny to 5 families until she retired. 

The families that entrusted her to care for their children as their nanny were her real joy. She cared deeply for those entrusted into her care. She was a very hard worker and still made time to raise two successful men, Gerald, and George Abraham, and later adopted a young son, Keane, and provided the same loving home for him, all as a single mother.

 Shirley LOVED her Denver Broncos! She collected many pieces of their memorabilia. She loved throwing parties, dressing up, and preparing the food for her guests. She loved to give gifts to those who visited her home. If you were ever blessed with any of her cakes or meals, you know just how much she loved to cook and bake and share that with others! Shirley loved music and singing, she was part of a church choir, and in her later years could often be found sitting in her chair enjoying music and beating her tambourine. She enjoyed escaping to the mountains and camping. If you were in need, she was always willing to help! She would prepare food baskets from her own pantry for individuals. Her servant heart led to her opening her home to many who needed a place to stay. She found great joy tending to her garden and she often would can those home-grown items and gift them to others, you may have received a jar of homemade plum jelly. Shirley loved to decorate for EVERY holiday. This gained her the nickname of “Holiday Shirley or Holiday Jenkins”.

Shirley entered into her final resting place at the age of 79 on Friday, August 30, 2024.Those left to carry on her legacy are her sons, Gerald D. Abraham (Amanda) of Brighton, CO., George E. Abraham Jr. “Chuckie” (Chantel) of Aurora, CO. Keane Abraham (Brianna) of Greenwood Village, Co. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren Victoria, Tabatha, Dalante’, Tevis, Javan, Jayla, Brielle, Ja, Keani, Keziyah, and 6 great-grandchildren. Her surviving siblings Wanda F. McMillon (Booker) of Atalanta, GA, Lena M. McMillon, Aubrey, TX, Connie D. Williams, Houston, TX, Kathlyn E. Barnes (Eddie) Keatchie, LA, William C. Jenkins, Cedar Hill, TX, Will R. Jenkins Sr. (Sophia), Denver, CO, Patricia A. Jenkins, Shreveport, LA, Marilyn Y. Dotson, Mansfield, LA, Angela R. Jenkins, Mansfield, LA, Teresa D. Adkins, Bossier City, LA, Rodrick D. Jenkins (Tanya), Mansfield, LA. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence Jenkins, Sr, Viola Myles-Jenkins, and siblings Clarence Jenkins Jr., Jack L. Jenkins, Floyd D. Jenkins, and Horace L. Jenkins.

We smile knowing that she is at peace. We’ll remember her sitting and enjoying Smokey Robinson singing “Just to See Her” and her favorite gospel songs and spirituals. We trust she will be overjoyed when she hears “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”