Obituary of Emma Jenkins Sechrest

Emma Dora Jenkins Sechrest Emma Dora Jenkins Sechrest of Charlotte died at Presbyterian Hospital on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, following a brief illness. Mrs. Sechrest was born April 22, 1919, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Lawrence Marion Jenkins, Sr. and Jeannette LeCroy Jenkins. The family later moved to Gastonia, North Carolina, where Mrs. Sechrest graduated from Ashley High School in 1936. After working for several years at W. H. Kress, she met and married James Lee ?Bus? Sechrest, co-owner of E.C. Sechrest and Sons Machine Shop in Lexington, North Carolina. They were married for fifty- six years prior to Mr. Sechrest?s death in 1998. Although christened Emma Dora, Mrs. Sechrest also answered readily to ?E.D.?,?M?, ?Dear?, ?Mama?, ?Mother?, and ?Nana.? In later years, she was called ?SantaNana? when she began a successful painting career creating memorable old world Santa Claus and holiday figures. She reveled each Christmas at the thought of how many of her Santas were being displayed and enjoyed in homes across this country. Mrs. Sechrest was a long time member of First United Methodist Church, Lexington, and had the honor of being a Charter Member of The Lexington Women?s Club. She had a great passion for golf and shared this pastime with many friends in the Lexington Women?s Golf Association. Mrs. Sechrest was a Brownie Girl Scout Leader and a Cub Scout Den Mother. She cheered her children and grandchildren on in swimming, diving, soccer, basketball, and baseball. She was a seamstress, a cook and baker, and an avid reader, interests that have been adopted by her children and grandchildren. She never comprehended the word boredom, as she immersed herself in any and all activities, including email, Scrabble, and Facebook. Following her husband?s death, Mrs. Sechrest decided to move across the country to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then to Temecula, California, to live near her Grandchildren. In 2007, she once again felt the pull of North Carolina and returned to live in Charlotte, buying a home and making new friends with whom to enjoy bridge, poker, and Bunco. In 2008, she enrolled in a water color art class at Queen?s University, and although she was the oldest student, was deemed the ?best in the class.? Mrs. Sechrest is survived by her three children: daughter, Susan Sechrest Keever of Charlotte, son, David Michael Sechrest of Charlotte, daughter, Carla Sechrest Berlin and husband Bradley C. Berlin of Temecula, California, brother, Lawrence M. Jenkins, Jr., and wife Bettie of Orlando, Florida; Grandchildren, Lauren Berlin Meier and husband Karl of Santa Barbara, California, Ryan C. Berlin of Atlanta, Georgia, and Alisa K. Berlin of San Francisco, California; step grandchildren, Philip B Keever, wife Kim and daughter Ashley of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Meredith K. Keever of Hendersonville, North Carolina; and Sister- in-Law, Catherine Sechrest Howard of Indianapolis, Indiana; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Mrs. Sechrest is predeceased by her sister Hazel Jenkins Pickett and her son-in-law Bayne Pharr Keever. The family of Mrs. Sechrest would like to thank Dr. Jon R. Pirello and Dr. Asaad Ahmed, along with the incredible nurses and assistants (especially Edline) of Presbyterian Hospital Matthews and Presbyterian Hospital Uptown for the capable, kind, and diligent care received during her illness. We salute their dedication. The Sechrest family would appreciate that any consideration for memorials be given to the following organizations: The Charlotte/Mecklenburg Library System 310 North Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Attention: Linda Raymond and ?The First Tee of Charlotte,? 2661 Barringer Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, 704-348-2515. ?First Tee? is a foundation which supports and encourages aspiring young golfers in financial need. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Sechrest will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at 2:00 PM, in the Chapel of Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home, 1111 East Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203. The Reverend John-Palmer Smith will officiate and visitation will follow the service.