Gretchen Lee Jenkins

Gretchen Lee Jenkins, lovingly known as “Mom” and "Grandma", passed away peacefully at her home, exactly where she wanted to be, with her beloved dogs, Willie and Louie, by her side.
Gretchen was born on April 18, 1944, in Washington, D.C., and was adopted by Albert and Virginia Slagle. She spent her early years in Maryland before the family moved to Garth Run in Graves Mill, Virginia while she was still a young girl. Gretchen attended Madison County Public Schools, where she was a standout athlete. A proud member of the basketball team, she was honored as Most Athletic her senior year, a title that perfectly reflected her lifelong love of sports and competition.
At just 15 years old, Gretchen met her high school sweetheart, Wilford “Lee” Jenkins. Their love story spanned a lifetime, beginning in their teenage years and continuing through their marriage in June of 1962. Together, they built a beautiful family and shared decades of love, laughter, and partnership. Being a mother was one of Gretchen’s greatest joys, and her devotion to her family never wavered.
Gretchen was an incredibly hard-working woman who took great pride in everything she did. Throughout her life, she held a number of jobs, including many years at the Chair Factory in Brightwood, Kellers in Culpeper, and the Ardent Mills in Culpeper, formally known as Cargill. Each role reflected her reliability and strong work ethic, but her work with the United States Postal Service as a Mail Carrier became one of the most meaningful chapters of her life. She was affectionately known and deeply loved by the people on her route and never missed a single day of work, a true testament to her dedication. In later years, changes in her health made it necessary for her to step away from the mail route she cherished so deeply. She missed it greatly, as it gave her a strong sense of purpose and allowed her to look after the people she served with genuine care, pride, and compassion.
A true tomboy at heart, Gretchen could almost always be found in her favorite sports apparel—cheering on the Washington Commanders or the University of Virginia—paired with a fresh, pristine set of sneakers. She loved shoes, especially sneakers, and kept them spotless. Gretchen enjoyed watching all sports, from NASCAR and basketball to football and baseball. She also loved fishing and playing golf, always happiest when outdoors or enjoying the thrill of the game.
In 2020, Gretchen experienced a profound and meaningful chapter in her life when a 23andMe DNA test revealed the existence of biological siblings. Through this discovery, she was able to make connections later in life that helped bring closure and understanding to her early story.
Gretchen was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Wilford “Lee” Jenkins, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and memories.
Gretchen is survived by her loving children, Jeff (Teresa), Kim (John), Eddie (Jennifer), and Melissa (Trepin); her cherished grandchildren Kelly (Andy), Johnny (Amanda), Caitlin, Sydney (Bryan), and Lee; and her adored great-grandchildren Lane, Lola, Emily, Colton, Oliver, Everette, Greylyn, and Gretchen. She is also survived by her devoted sister, Judy Berry, who shared a lifetime of family, love, and memories with her; as well as other biological siblings she connected with later in life, including Kaki Gemmell, Judy McGowen, and a brother Joseph Gemmell.
Gretchen will be remembered for her strength, loyalty, work ethic, and unwavering love for her family. She had a caring heart, a competitive spirit, and a presence that made people feel seen and valued. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched, as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and community member.
She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Madison Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, December 26, 2025 at Preddy Funeral Home in Madison.