Clara Ann Jenkins, 88, a long-time former Rock Island resident and educator, died on December 18, 2023, after a long illness in Indianapolis, IN. Funeral services for Mrs. Jenkins will be held at Second Baptist Church in Rock Island on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. Visitation will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church and the funeral will be at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Burial will take place at the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Arrangements are being provided by Stuart Mortuary of Indianapolis and by Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory in Rock Island, IL.

Born Clara Williams in Hannibal, MO on November 10, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Claretta Doolin Howard. Clara and her extended family migrated to the Quad Cities in the early 1940s. She attended Rock Island Public Schools and graduated from Rock Island High School. Clara received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science and Education degrees from Illinois State University as well as an Education Specialist degree from Western Illinois University.

Being an educator was always Clara's life's ambition. After graduating from college in 1957 she returned to Rock Island seeking a position with the Rock Island School District. She was told the district was not ready to hire a "colored teacher". Clara left the area and joined the Banneker School System in East St. Louis, IL where she taught kindergarten for two years.

In 1960, Superintendent Charles Austin Sr. hired Clara as a kindergarten teacher in Rock Island becoming one of the districts first Black teachers. She taught at the old Hawthorne School and later at Hawthorne-Irving School. During her tenure in the Rock Island Public School District Clara was hired as a guidance counselor at Central Junior High School; served as the vocational education guidance counselor for the RI/Milan school district and finally as Director of Guidance and Counseling at the Rock Island Senior High School until her retirement in 1992.

For Clara, retirement lasted a year. In 1993, she became the director of the Quad City Scholars program designed to help students throughout the area prepare for college by making connections with local industries and businesses as well as visits to various colleges and universities in the region. Later she served as co-principal at Hawthorne-Irving School, taught at Ridgewood Elementary in East Moline, IL and at the Geneseo/ East Moline Alternative School.

After retiring yet again, Clara was once more pulled back to her alma mater serving as the coordinator of the Minority Teacher Incentive Program at Rock Island High School where encouragement was given to students of color to become future educators themselves. She retired for good in 2010.

In addition to education, Clara was also socially active. In the 1970s Clara was involved with the Model Cities program serving as its Policymaking Board Chairman; served on the Martin Luther King, Jr Center executive board as a member and later as its chairman from the 1980s-2008. She was a member of various civic organizations including Adah Chapter #10 Order of the Eastern Stars, Tri-Cities Assembly #53 Order of the Golden Circle, Masqat Court #167 Daughters of Isis all of Rock Island. Clara also served as a trustee and choir member of her beloved Second Baptist Church in Rock Island for many years.

Clara enjoyed many activities including spending time with her family, bowling with her teams in various leagues, hosting an annual Labor Day brunch at her house on the parade route with neighbors and friends, walking at Sunset Marina and visiting the local casinos.

Clara always had strong bonds with her family. She was raised by her mother who Clara credited for instilling in her a sense of purpose. Clara married Curtis Jenkins Sr, in December 1959. He preceded her in death in 1992. Cherishing her memory forever are her son Curtis M. Jenkins (Anita), Naperville, IL, daughters Denise L. Jenkins-Williams (Norris) Indianapolis, IN, Jimmie Sue Jenkins-Wade Warren, AR, bonus daughters Donna Stoner, Carolyn Harris, and Regina Williams; seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. "Forever Friends" Marlene Bland, Ida Robinson, Val Carroll and Margret Woods as well as host of others too numerous to list.

Online condolences and memories may be shared on Clara's tribute wall at www.wheelanpressly.com.