Bernice Virginia Jenkins, 81, of Orange, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023 in Culpeper, Virginia.

Born December 22, 1941 in Middleburg, Va, she was the daughter of the late Enis B. Jenkins and Aileen Payne Jenkins.

Bernice spent most of her childhood and adult years in Orange County. Her father, Enis, as well as her brothers were well-known horsemen in the horse world. Enis was known to have trained some of the best horses and was also known for his love of fox hunting. Many times, Bernice shared with her friends the many stories of riding the roads with her father as a child in search of his precious fox hounds, whom he loved dearly.

After high school, Bernice went to work for Central National Bank, Richmond, Virginia, and then returned back to Orange to work for the National Bank of Orange. From there, she would go on to work for a brief time for a small loan company in downtown Charlottesville. Bernice then returned to Orange to finish out her career at American General, where she worked for 29 years and reached the goal of manager, before leaving to take care of her mother.

Bernice is survived by her best friend of 40 years, David McGhee of Orange, and his son, Kevin. David was always by her side, even in the final months and weeks leading up to Bernice’s passing. She is also survived by three brothers, Rodney Jenkins and wife, Unjin of Maryland, Larry Jenkins and wife, Bunny of Orange, and Dale Jenkins, and partner, Lucy of Madison. Bernice never had children of her own, although she dearly loved her ten nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. There was never a holiday or birthday that Bernice did not send cards and remembrances to her family. She loved her extended family and also loved hosting her family and friends for holiday gatherings.

Bernice was also the “keeper” of her family’s genealogy and was the longtime secretary/treasurer for the Jenkins' family reunions which were held in August of every year in Sperryville, Va. She also enjoyed collecting many different things, with doll collecting being one of her favorite things. She had a vast collection. of many different types of dolls and loved to display them throughout her home. Bernice also loved tending to her flowers and had a real fondness for gardening. She could always be found outside in one of her many flower gardens in the Spring and Summer months. 

A visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023 at Preddy Funeral Home, Orange, Virginia, with a memorial service to begin at 2 p.m in the funeral home chapel. Interment to follow at Graham Cemetery, Orange, Va. Reverend Daryl Harbin will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Bernice’s memory to the Orange County Humane Society or the World Wildlife Fund(WWF). Bernice loved her many pets over the years, and a donation in her name would be an fitting way to honor her memory.

Online guestbooks are available at www.preddyfuneralhomes.com and at www.johnsoncares.com. Both Preddy Funeral Home, Orange and Johnson Funeral Home, Locust Grove are entrusted by the family with Bernice’s final arrangements