Tributes

Peggy Joyce Moore Jenkins joined James Roscoe Moore and Minnie Bell Daniels Moore’s budding baseball team on November 12, 1944. The existing team members were Willie Warren (Vernita), Howard Ray, Roscoe Jr. (Jean), DeArthur, Robert Earl (Nellie) and Jesse Leon (Ella), and then came their one and only girl, Peggy Joyce. Following Peggy Joyce's arrival were Donald, Dewitt (Gina) and Jimmy Lee (Annie). The Moores lived on the Simon Farm in Bethel and attended Bethel Union High School until Mr. Roscoe decided that his family was not getting their fair share from share cropping. Hence, Mr. Roscoe migrated his family to Philadelphia (Germantown) where Peggy Joyce worked as a domestic until she met the love of her life, Alfonza Jenkins. Alfonza and Peggy Joyce courted in Philadelphia and decided to start their life together in Washington DC. And what a life they shared. Joining them first was Alfonza Jr. and then Peggy Marie. Peggy Joyce’s children, Beverly Moore Manley (Heward), Fonza and Peggy were her inspiration. She worked tirelessly as a cook for The National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 12 years and then The Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD for 24 years. For 36 years, Peggy Joyce would get up before 4:30 a.m., don her white galley uniform and impeccably clean white shoes to ensure that Beverly, Fonza and Peggy Marie were safely housed, emotionally stable, academically challenged and sharply dressed. Whether Peggy Joyce was serving the highest ranking members of the military or the family members of retired service personnel, she greeted the chow hall patrons with a friendly smile and a sweet disposition. Peggy Joyce was proud of her service which resulted in numerous letters of appreciation, outstanding performance awards and the most coveted Junior Civilian Employee of the Quarter Award. In addition to working a full time job, Peggy Joyce was the Chief Financial Officer for every business endeavor that Al Jenkins attempted. Every Thursday night she would be up until 1:00 a.m., ensuring that payroll, accounts payable and receivables were in order for Al's Tile and Linoleum. And yes, she would still arrive on time for her duties at NIH and/or The Naval Hospital. Peggy Joyce served that same role for Al’s nightclub, his restaurant and his grocery store. In her spare time, she became a licensed cosmetologist. She worked miracles on Peggy’s and Regina's naps. Not only did Peggy Joyce expect her kids to better themselves, she repeatedly modeled that behavior. Peggy Joyce was also "ride or die" for her husband, advocating for his care until she could no longer speak. Peggy Joyce and Al's 50-year union was unconditional and unbreakable. In 2006, Peggy Joyce and Al retired to North Carolina and life was easy. Peggy Joyce fell in love with Jackie Sheppard who became her local adopted daughter. Peggy and Al joined Conetoe Chapel and deemed the pastor, Richard Joyner and his twin brother William Joyner, to be their sons after they lost Fonza in 2007. Peggy Joyce and Al ran Al's Robin's Nest and enjoyed the fruits of their labor until illness struck. Then our merciful God allowed Peggy Joyce to find Lotus Cancer Survival Foundation which lifted her spirits and helped her navigate her treatment options while still being the primary caretaker for her husband. Peggy Joyce loved to cook and she could burn and did not mind telling you she put her foot in some cinnamon flavored candied yams. Peggy Joyce also did not mind abruptly ending all phone conversations if Victor Newman (The Young and the Restless) was on the screen. Ms. Ruth, Ms. Cora, Ms. Judy and Elizabeth delighted Peggy Joyce's heart with their daily phone calls. Peggy Joyce knew it was late in the evening and her walk home had quickened. Now she is smiling down on all of us as she prepares beef tips, chicken salad, potato salad and "slap your momma" banana pudding for Mr. Roscoe, Ms. Minnie, Ms. Mary and Fonza. She knows her grandbabies (Justin, Brandon and Holden), special nieces (Ellen, Patti, Nita and Jennifer), very special nephews (Willie, Jeff and Roscoe) a host of other friends and relatives will miss her but she would tell each of us … Baby, live your life ... complete your own walk home … listen to and respect your elders … keep your mouth shut if you have nothing good to say … and most importantly, don't accept any wooden nickels. I miss you, Peggy Joyce.

Tributes

Mrs. Peggy Joyce Jenkins

November 12, 1944 - July 23, 2016