Josephine Lovena Jenkins

(Billings), ''Billie'', age 80, of Centerville, passed away on January 26, 2001 at Hospice of Dayton. She was born on June 12, 1920, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to Harry Thomas Billings and Merceades Margaret (Cheap) Billings. She grew up in Ashland, Kentucky, where she graduated from high school. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from Butler University, Indianapolis IN. She taught school in Kentucky, and worked for Ashland Oil during World War II. She then went to China as a missionary and was supported by the Church of God, Anderson IN. In China, she met and married Dr. P.K. Jenkins of Bristol, England. In 1949, Peter and Billie moved to Hong Kong where they continued in independent missionary work together. Billie worked with her husband at Emmanuel Medical Mission and taught school. In 1969, she earned her M.A. in Counseling and Guidance, again at Butler University. Her last 20 years of missionary service were at the Hong Kong Baptist College where she became Head of the Counseling Dept., Chair of Secretarial Management and finally Dean of Business Management. In 1985, Billie and her husband retired and returned to the United States where she became ordained as an associate church pastor in Ashland KY and continued to actively serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lovena was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and both brothers, John and Milbra Billings. She is survived by 4 children; Dr. H. Stanley Jenkins and his wife, Jo Ellen of Centerville, Michael S. Jenkins and his wife, Debbie of Dayton, Peggy James and her husband, Frank of Shreveport LA and Joyanna James and her husband, Barry of Beavercreek; and 12 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, in the North Heincke Rd. First Church of God, 446 Heincke Rd., Miamisburg OH. Friends may call prior to services from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. in the church. Burial in David's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Missionary Board of the Church of God, PO Box 2498, Anderson IN 46018, in memory of Lovena Jenkins. Condolences may be sent to the funeral home's website at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Centerville Routsong Funeral Home
81 N. Main St.
Centerville, OH
US 45459