Eleanor Palmer Jenkins, 74, of Columbia, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Born on October 29, 1948, in Ellenton, South Carolina, she was a daughter of the late Frank Roy Palmer, Sr. and Christine Bradford Palmer. Eleanor was a devoted member of Northeast Wesleyan Church in Columbia. She was the wife of the late Charles Jenkins.

Eleanor graduated from Wade Hampton High School and earned her degree in nursing from the University of South Carolina and the Orangeburg Regional Hospital School of Nursing. Throughout her 50 plus year career, she worked for the state prison and Dorn VA hospital. Eleanor specialized in psychiatry as well as labor and delivery. She had a green thumb and loved to fish. Eleanor found joy in canning and was well known for her famous chowchow. Family and friends fondly remember her generous and quirky personality. She will be missed dearly by many.

Survivors include her children, Christine Jenkins Barnes (William), Joseph Christopher Jenkins (Mia), Marie Jenkins Kinard (Steve), and Michael L. Jenkins; grandchildren, April Small (Ben), William Barnes (Tiana), Jacob Kinard, Ethan Kinard, Sofia Jattuso, Joseph Jattuso, Lily Jenkins; and great-granddaughter, Maren Barnes; siblings, Ethel Malphrus, Eunice Crosby, Walter Palmer, Leonard Palmer (Cathy), Ruby Hammond, Becky Miller (Harold), Vicki O'Brien, Wise Johnson (Peggy); as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by brothers, Frank Roy Palmer, Jr. and Joey Johnson.

The Celebration of Life for Mrs. Jenkins will be held at 2 o'clock, on Sunday, March 19th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.