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Clarice Golightly-Jenkins, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and cherished friend departed this earthly life and made her transition from service to reward on Sunday, September 12th.
Dr. Golightly-Jenkins was born on April 17th in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to her parents (the late) Lonnie Golightly Sr. and Marie Golightly. Before earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Tuskegee University, Dr. Golightly-Jenkins was commissioned in 1967 and served in the U.S. Army Nursing Corps until her retirement in 1993. Following what she described as a “calling”, Dr. Golightly-Jenkins pursued her MSN in Nursing (Honors MSN - Nursing (Honors; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing; Featured in The Ohio State University College of Medicine Journal, June 1974) from The Ohio State University. In 1974, she was the First Clinical Nurse Specialist assigned to US Army Fitzsimons Army Medical Center; Department of Psychiatry & Department of Nursing. In 1989, she earned her DPLs in Command Leadership; Joint Interagency Opns from The United States Army Command, and General Staff College and Leadership, Strategy, Joint/Multinational Opns from the United States Army War College. In 1991, Dr. Golightly-Jenkins completed her residency in Advanced Resources Mgmt & Groups in Conflict at The University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School. In 2003, while attending school alongside her college-aged children, Dr. Golightly-Jenkins graduated with a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Our Lady of The Lake University.
Dr. Golightly-Jenkins served more than 26 years active duty with valor and distinction in acute and primary care, in-theater combat support, nurse officer recruiting, and senior executive leadership positions. During her military career, she earned the Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the National Defense Service Medal with a silver star.
She was chief nursing officer in the Army Nurse Corps where she was responsible for education and staff development for Army Nurse Corps officers in all nursing specialties and for training of Army enlisted personnel in all medical occupational specialties. She was the principal nursing advisor to the Commandant U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School and the commander of the Frankfurt Army Regional Medical Center. She also served as a consultant for military education and enlisted training and development to the Surgeon General (Army) in Washington, D.C.
In 2017, she was inducted into the historic Tuskegee University ROTC Military Hall of Fame. Most recently, as an Assistant Professor at UT Health San Antonio Center School of Nursing, she served as a pivotal educator and skilled change strategist responsible for preparing the next generation’s nurse leaders and advanced practice scientists.
With a deep soul and kindness that knew no bounds, Dr. Golightly-Jenkins had a big heart, a wonderful sense of humor, and an infectious smile. She was blessed with the gift of empathy, grace, and always seeing the best in others. She was the happiest surrounded by her grandchildren. Of the many things we will miss about her will be her loving presence, compassionate soul, and constant care of others.
Dr. Golightly-Jenkins is survived by her children; Brett Lee Golightly Jenkins (Carla) of Pflugerville, TX and Clarice Golightly Bajkowski (Maciej) of Austin, TX; her four grandchildren; Juliet Marie Golightly Jenkins, Josephine Clarice Golightly Bajkowski, Judah Ariel Golightly Jenkins, and Jenevieve Golightly Bajkowski; her siblings, Lonnie Golightly Jr., Velveta Golightly-Howell (John) of Broomfield, CO; Jane Golightly of San Antonio, TX; Melody Golightly Robinson of Tuscaloosa, AL; her nephews and nieces; Lonnie (Tre) Golightly III of Tuscaloosa, AL., Akia Charde' Golightly-Robinson of Tuscaloosa, AL., Barett Jonve' Kristian Howell of Broomfield, CO., Greyland Jarringtan Kindrich Howell of Broomfield, CO., Alia Danielle Golightly-Robinson of Mobile, AL, a loving community and a host of other relatives and friends of many, many years.
She was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Odis D. Jenkins II, of San Antonio, TX in 2017 and her beloved parents, Lonnie William Golightly Sr. and Marie Brown Golightly of Tuscaloosa, AL; and a dear former sister-in-law, Katherine Mobley Adams.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider a memorial contribution to The NAACP in Dr. Golightly-Jenkins’ name. Donations may be made in memory of [Dr. Golightly-Jenkins’ name to the NAACP using this link: www.naacp.org/empowerment-programs
When making your donation online, please indicate "In Memory Of Dr. Golightly-Jenkins" in the space marked "Phone (optional)" AND reach out directly to development@naacpnet.org with "In Memory Of Dr. Golightly-Jenkins’ " in the subject line.
Services for Dr. Golightly-Jenkins are scheduled for 11:00 am on October 1st at Skybridge Community Church at 7303 Ray Bon Dr, San Antonio, TX 78218. Reverend Russell Howelton, Founding Pastor, will be officiating services. Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.lewisfuneralhome.com/
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