FAYETTEVILLE - Vera Jenkins was born Sept. 4, 1919, in Smithfield, and passed away Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015.

She was born to the late John Luther Rackley and Lula Everett Rackley and was predeceased by her husband, Arthur C. Jenkins Jr., and brother, John Elvin Rackley. Vera is survived by her son, Arthur C. Jenkins III and wife Joan Hindman Jenkins of Rocky Mount; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Growing up in Ashe County, she graduated from Ashe County High School and attended Appalachian State for one year, transferring to Women's College (now UNCG) and graduating with a degree in home economics. Upon graduation from WC, she was one of six students allowed into Duke University graduate program for dietetic.

Following her internship at Duke, Vera worked in various hospitals in eastern North Carolina, putting her dietetic training to use. During her hospital career, World War II emerged and Vera felt it was her civic duty to join the Civil Service in 1941. She found herself at Station Hospital, Fort Bragg as a chief dietitian and after a month she was commissioned into the Army as a first lieutenant. As chief dietitian, she remained in this capacity until 1944, overseeing hospital food operations and training new dietitians to go overseas.

Vera began her post-military career after her marriage to future local architect Arthur Jenkins, as chief dietitian at Highsmith Hospital and later as the first chief dietitian at Cape Fear Valley Hospital. She continued working in food service management, dietetics and nursing education at Cape Fear Valley Hospital until the late 1950s.

After the sudden and unexpected death of her husband, she founded Jenkins and Associates in the mid-1960s, as a manufacturer food service representative. The company marketed and sold commercial food equipment throughout the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee,

representing more than 20 major manufacturers in the country. The industry they sold to included hospitals, schools and large institutional sites. What made this unusual was that Vera was the first woman to own and operate such a company throughout the United States. Upon receiving many regional and national awards from the food equipment industry, she was awarded UNCG's first Alumni Outstanding Legacy Award for her work in dietetics and mentoring young undergraduates in their professional career.

She retired in 1985, selling Jenkins and Associate to Mr. Frank Griffin of Columbia, S.C., and Mr. Tommy Hale of Johnson City, Tenn., both longtime associates. Since then, she had more time to indulge her lifelong interest in travel, going to South America, Spain, Europe, China with the U.S.-China Scientific Exchange, and England, taking architectural history courses at Oxford University. Then, of course, there were her prize camellias and azaleas, which she now had more time to tend to on the home front.

As dietitian, wife, mother and business professional, she still found time for civic participation during her early years to the present. She was a former member and officer of Women's Club of Fayetteville and director of the NC Symphony Association.

A member and officer of the Colonial Garden Club and a certified national flower show judge, she was co-chairman of the Elizabethan Garden tours of the N.C. Council of Garden Clubs, and was instrumental in organizing the local Ikebana and American Camellia Society clubs. She served as a member of the advisory committee of NC Recreation Commission appointed by Gov. Terry Sanford. A lifelong member at Highland Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years, she was a Cub Scout den leader for several years, instrumental in setting up the kitchen and meals for special events, helped with the remodeling of the current kitchen and prepared flower arrangement for special occasions and event along with her close friend, Mrs. Patty Hutaff.

The family wishes to pay special thanks to Dr. Linda Hughes and staff for their services, Ms. Kecia Fontano (medical assistant/caregiver), Ms. Christina Burgess (longtime assistant) and close friend Mrs. Bunny Foster. A private family burial and graveside service conducted by Dr. Doc Wyle, associate pastor of Highland Presbyterian Church, took place at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey Street.

Memorials may be made to the Highland Presbyterian Church, UNCG School of Health and Human Services, or charity of one's choice.