Mrs. Beverley "Bev" Reddick-Jenkins

Beverley Elaine Reddick was born in Denver, Colorado on February 27, 1945. Her parents were Walterine and Marcine Reddick. She was the oldest sibling of three, who spent lots of time playing and attending church. As a child Bev was the “ringleader” meeting all the kids throughout the block. She organized games, competitions, and fun activities for the neighborhood children. She surpassed them most of the time in bike riding, skating, ball games, “jacks,” and hopscotch; she never met a stranger. As a child, her family moved often, however she always enjoyed and challenged herself to meet all the neighbors, some who remained her lifetime friends. Bev had an extremely curious and adventurous childhood. She found all the children in the new neighborhoods to join in her organized fun activities. Bev enjoyed buying and listening to 45” records with her best friends, singing and dancing to all the hits. Bev was “a social butterfly” with a magnetic and humorous personality, which enabled her to make and keep friends anywhere she went. Bev was educated in Catholic and Denver Public elementary schools, and then attended Denver Public middle schools, graduating from Manual High School, proudly following in the footsteps of her mother, auntie, and uncle who also attended Manual. While at Manual High School, countless valuable life skills were learned which remained instrumental in her positive development, acquiring longtime friends and fantastic memories. This Thunderbolt served on the Manual Class 1960-1964 Reunion, and the Manual Fun Committees for 30 plus years. In 2017 she was the reunion keynote speaker. She was honored to be a Manualite. After graduating from Manual High School Bev attended the University of Colorado and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology/Sociology from Touro University in New York City. Once her bachelor’s degree was completed, Beverley continued her quest for knowledge and went to graduate school at City College of New York. Bev also completed a master's degree in business management/human resources development from Webster University. After that journey was complete, Bev enrolled into Colorado State University where she earned Ph.D. credits. Bev believed in the Lord and had an evident personal relationship with the Father. She was initially baptized at Annunciation Catholic Church. She later accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior again, in the late 1980’s at New Hope Baptist Church where she and her family worshiped. Bev attended New Hope with her grandparents, mother, and other family members. Bev made four generations of family who were all New Hope Baptist Church members. Bev was a devout Christian. At New Hope Baptist Church, she served in many ministries. Bev sang in the choir, she assisted in the Food Ministry, Health Ministry, and weekly Bible Study. While singing with the Majestic Choir she had the pleasure of being part of recording “Hallelujah Anyhow” and performing with the choir at the “Too Hot to Handle” concerts with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for several years. Bev truly lived her life by the words from the hymn, “If I Can Help Somebody as I Travel Along the Way, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, then my living would not be in vain.” Beverley loved to study her bible, and one of her favorite scriptures was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!” Bev met and fell in love with a handsome man she affectionally called “Sy.” Beverley married Sylvester Jenkins on August 8, 1988. Bev loved her family, and always wanted the best for her children. Bev’s daughter Peggy “Darjshai” was her brilliant, compassionate, and strong daughter. Son Shar was an exceptionally bright, generous, caring son, and a fantastic dad to her six outstanding, funny, bright, and beautiful grandchildren. Peggy gave Bev four granddaughters: Marlainna, Marshaunna, Marianna & Marquisa, who are all incredibly gorgeous, smart and a special joy. Her eleven grands and eleven great grands affectionately all referred to Bev as “Nana” who were the delight and pride of her life. Beverley was not only accomplished with a beautiful family, but Bev was also a distinguished woman whose educational background afforded her the opportunity to work within many different organizations. Bev’s career spanned in many areas throughout her life in non-profit, educational, and government programs. The primary emphasis of her career was providing educational services, information, referrals, and supportive services to African American women, young adults, low income, and the elderly populations. Bev was also affiliated with many organizations and held positions throughout them all. Secretary/Bookkeeper for Model Cities Cultural Center, Information and Referral Manager for Canaan Baptist Church, Social Research Analyst for New School for Social Research, Program Manager with Tremont Senior Center, Program Manager of Women Services, Instructor for Community College of Denver, Program Manager for Denver Regional Council of Governments – Aging Services Employment Programs and Manager of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Cancer Programs just to name a few. In 1993 Bev was diagnosed with cancer. She used that situation “turning a lemon into lemonade” and established a Breast Cancer support for African American Breast Cancer Survivors. Spearheaded with her sorority, the first two African American Breast Cancer Conferences were held in Denver. She expanded her advocacy by conducting presentations locally and nationally; encouraging screening and education on the significance of early detection and women’s health topics. She possessed an outstanding ability to offer people information and referrals to countless services and resources requested. Along with her work for Breast Cancer Support for African American Breast Cancer Survivors, Bev was a lifetime member with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Denver Alumnae Chapter, Order of Eastern Stars, Rocky Mountain RV Rollers, Manual High School “Fun” and Reunion Committees 30+ years, “Because We Can” Bunch, Tripoley Group, Bid Whist Group, Civil and Community Rights Advocate and Volunteerism, member of the NAACP, The Black Panthers, a peer volunteer, and spokesperson for The American Cancer Society. Her career and volunteer efforts involved continuously mentoring, educating, and working to empower and provide others with support and needed resources. She had an outstanding ability to offer people information and make referrals to countless services and resources. Bev’s career and volunteer efforts involved her continuously working to empower and provide others with support and resources needed. Some of her organizational contributions spanned from administrative and public/community involvement with: Community College of Denver, American Cancer, AARP, Delta Sigma Theta, Denver Regional Council of Government, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, where she retired in 2008. Bev loved life. She delighted in family and friend’s gatherings and celebrations. She initiated and organized family reunions on both maternal and paternal sides of the family. She travelled many U.S. locations, as well as the Caribbean Islands, and Bermuda. She appreciated attending and participating in church activities. Bev cherished R & B, “old school”, gospel, and jazz music; singing every word to the songs (sometimes to her own tunes). She was constantly dancing and winning dance contests. Bev was a woman of many hats and facets. Her warm smile, loving embrace, and life of the party personality will be missed. Bev is preceded in death by her dad, Marcine Reddick, mother, Walterine Doyle, sister Debbora Reddick, brother Michael Reddick and stepdaughter Synetta Jenkins. She leaves behind, husband Sylvester “Sy” Jenkins, daughter Peggy D. Jordan “Darjshai”, son, Shar Jenkins, sister, Frances Rosborough, ten granddaughters: Marlainna, Marshaunna, Marianna, Marquisa, Jadyn, Anessa, Laynah, Briah, Allysah, and Tia; one grandson LaShariel Andre; six great-granddaughters and four great-grandsons a host nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and many special friends.

Mrs. Beverley "Bev" Reddick-Jenkins

February 27, 1945 - October 6, 2023