At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At age 40 we don’t care what they think of us. At age 60 we realize that they haven’t been thinking of us at all! How do I know that my youth is all spent? Well, my get-up and go has got-up and went! But in spite of it all, I am able to grin. When I think of the places my get-up has been!
Since I have retired from life’s competition, I just busy myself with complete repetition. I get up each morning and dust off my wits. Pick up the paper and read the obits. If my name is missing, I know I’m not dead. So, I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed.
There’s nothing really the matter with me. I’m just as healthy as can be. I have arthritis in both knees and when Old age is golden, so I have heard said, but sometimes I won- I talk, I talk with a wheeze. My pulse is weak, my blood is der as I get into bed. With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a thin, but I’m awfully well for the shape cup and my eyes on the table until I wake up! I’m in. Though sleep dims my eyes, I say to myself, “Is there anything else I can put on the shelf?” And I’m happy to say All my teeth have had to come out and my diet I hate to as I close the door, “My friends are the same, perhaps even think about. I’m overweight and I can’t get thin, but I’m more!” awfully well for the shape I’m in. When I was a young thing, my slippers were red. I could kick up my heels, as high as my head. Then when I was older, my slippers were blue, but still I could walk the whole day through.
Arch supports, I need for my feet or I wouldn’t be able to go out in the street. Sleep is denied me night after night, but every morning I find I’m alright. My memory’s failing, my head’s a spin, but I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.
Now that I am older, my slippers are black. I walk to the store and puff my way back. The reason I know my youth is all spent, my get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went.
The moral of this, as the tale unfolds, is that for you and me, who are growing old, it’s better to say “I’m fine” with a grin than to let people know the shape we are in. I’m fine! How are you?
But really, I don’t mind when I think with a grin of all the grand places my get-up has been.
Pauline Bernice Jenkins Alsbrooks, 91 (affectionately known as “Fats”, “Pliney” “Toots”, “Tootsie”, “Momma”, “Mom Alsbrooks”, and “Maw Maw) passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on March 25, 2021 surrounded by her loving family at her home. She was born on August 18, 1929 in Berea, KY to the late John Dean Jenkins and Bessie Frances Jenkins. She attended Peytontown Baptist Church where, as a young girl, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. Pauline was educated in the segregated Richmond Kentucky Public Schools, where she played basketball and field hockey. She graduated from high school in 1948. The day after she graduated, Fats immediately relocated to Dayton, OH to work and live with her sister Sadie and her family. Sadie helped facilitate the introduction of Pliney to Hershell James Alsbrooks at a local dance. The two “hit it off ” and on December 24, 1948, were united in holy matrimony in Columbus, OH where they decided to reside. This union was blessed with daughter Karen Jean (Sissy) and son Stephen Vernon (Bo). In addition to her biological children, Momma served as a stand-in mother to many (including Raymond Wise, George Fleming, Germaine Fleming, etc.) For nearly 30 years, Pauline was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. In 1991 she, along with her husband, became charter members of Faith Ministries Church. She was ordained a Deaconess at Faith Ministries Church and along with Hershell served faithfully. Pauline’s ministry was to always help those in need. Many of you can attest to the help you received from her. From an early age Pliney was extremely industrious and she aspired to be a Greyhound Bus driver. But with systemic racism and sexism limiting opportunities, she resorted to earning a living as a domestic worker for affluent, white families while in Kentucky, and after moving to Ohio. She often had more than one job at a time and worked for various companies in Columbus as well. Having great administrative skills and seeking better pay, she was hired as a Unit Clerk on the maternity ward at Grant Hospital where she worked during the late 1950’s - “60’s. With her children in school and needing flexible work hours Momma returned to domestic work and joined some of her sisters at Grief Brothers Corporation. She worked there for over 20 years and happily retired in 1994. She gleefully told everyone she also retired her bra at that time. “I hate a bra!” That was a direct quote! Her passions were her family, cooking, and her hobbies. Her many siblings were her best friends and they loved and supported each other unconditionally. They did everything together including fishing, tending their vegetable gardens, cooking and baking, traveling, celebrating holidays, and attending family reunions. The family she cherished the most were her children and grandchildren, ever sacrificing for them, sometimes to a fault. She was intensely supportive of every endeavor her offspring engaged in. They were her pride and joy and she made it a point to actively participate in their activities and to always acknowledge their accomplishments. She attended all of Kayla’s volleyball matches and all of her other extracurricular events. Maw Maw was present at all graduations through high school and college and took great pride in the fact that all three of her grandchildren were college graduates. She enjoyed celebrating others and being celebrated. Mom Alsbrooks was an extraordinary cook, and she was the “Queen” of the kitchen. She believed in the idiom “too many cooks spoil the broth”, so you had to get out of her kitchen, or she’d wait until you were done! Her specialties were homemade ice cream, pound cake with caramel icing, and homemade rolls just to name a few. Providing food and shelter was important to her and her family was well-fed and lack portion control discipline even today. On Saturdays, she served cold-cuts, cheese and crackers because after cleaning the house, running errands, going to auctions, etc. the remainder of her energy was devoted to preparing Sunday dinner. Momma would rise early Sunday morning to finish cooking because she wanted everything ready to eat upon her family’s return from church. Tootsie was adamant about this. Most Sunday afternoons were spent with her sister and best friend Katie Louise.
When her adult children would return home from college, she would always prepare their favorite foods. When she visited them, wherever they lived, she would bring massive amounts of food, fondly referred to as “girth”. When all of her children and grandchildren were under her roof, she would happily say, “ all of my eggs are in one basket”. Early in life, Pauline was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading the newspaper and books late Sunday evening for hours. Later in life with failing eyesight, she’d listen to books on CD and was especially fond of author John Gresham. Additionally, during her life, she was an antique collector (specializing in black memorabilia and cut-glass), and an antique furniture restorer. She would drive for miles to find a good auction or second-hand store (going junkin’) to acquire a hidden treasure at a “bargain” price. She took great pride in purchasing something “for cheap”. Gardening was also her passion and she always had vegetable gardens and elaborate flower gardens from which she would create beautiful floral arrangements. Christmas was Momma’s favorite holiday and she provided her family with many holiday traditions to carry on. A consummate planner and saver, she prepared months in advance to shower her family with numerous Christmas gifts, Christmas time feasts, and beautiful decorations. She was especially proud of her eloquent Christmas candle collection. After going through a jar of coins, collected by her late husband, she became interested in numismatics (we had to “google” it too). With failing eyesight and using a magnifying glass, she very quickly read and educated herself on numismatics (the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money and related objects). She joined the Central Ohio Numismatist Association, attended coin shows, made friends and deals with coin dealers and bank tellers, bid on eBay (with Kayla) and amassed an impressive collection her granddaughter and son will carry on. Other collectors were amazed at her level of knowledge and they quickly learned about that knowledge when they tried to dupe her. The information she retained on her collection was amazing. Finally, Maw-Maw had an affinity for turtles and frogs and randomly created and loved a sizeable collection of decorative turtle and frog figurines. She would acquire items for her collection from second-hand stores and Karen and Kayla would bring her a turtle or frog from everywhere they traveled. Others also contributed to her collection. In the words of her immediate family, Maw-Maw was highly empathetic and sympathetic, self-sacrificing, strong-willed, independent, a provider, adamant, resilient, longsuffering, resolved, fun-loving, emotionally reserved, introverted but always approachable, socially open, private, selfless, a historian, loving, frugal (however, she would give you the “shirt off her back” if you needed it), caring, thoughtful, selfless, a favorite, favored, fashionable, determined, disciplined, strong, loving, giving, resourceful, and family oriented. That’s our Toots! Pauline was preceded in death by her parents John and Bessie Jenkins, her husband Hershell, her siblings Eunice Jenkins, Sally Jenkins, Edward “Jim” Jenkins, Wren Peyton, Katie Louise Parks, Nannie Mae Carthell, Robert “Bob” Jenkins, Sadie Ridley, Ethel Littleton, and Alma Jean Smith. Pauline leaves to cherish her memory and pass on her legacy, Karen of Groveport, OH and Stephen (Carol) of Waldorf. MD. Three grandchildren Aaron Alsbrooks, Kayla Smith, and Andrew Alsbrooks. Siblings Johnnie Jenkins of Columbus, OH, Elizabeth Mundy of High Point, NC and Dean Phillip Jenkins of Berea, KY. Pliney shared a special relationship with first cousins Olivia Yarborough and Henry Jenkins. Missing Momma dearly are many heart-adopted daughters and sons, and a host of nieces, nephews. Her cousins including Hershell’s cousin and special longtime friend Ray Murphy will miss her as well. Finally, special friends and fellow Deaconess Barbara Cleveland, Mildred Saxon, and Martha Smith will serve on without Sister Alsbrooks. Her lord said unto her, Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord. (Mt. 25:21) AMEN!
Order of Service
Dr. C. Dexter Wise III, Pastor Faith Ministries Church Officiating PRELUDE Dr. Raymond Wise PRAISE AND WORSHIP “Family” PRAYER OF CONSOLATION Dr. Raymond Wise
SCRIPTURES OLD TESTAMENT (Psalm 23) Thomas Wright NEW TESTAMENT (Matthew 5:13-16) Germaine Fleming SELECTION “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” Dr. Raymond Wise and Dr. Dawnne Wise ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Carol Johnson OBITUARY (read silently) REMARKS Karen, Steve, Carol, Aaron, Kayla, Andrew SELECTION “There’s A Leak In this Old Building” Kayla Smith, Karen Alsbrooks, Dawnne Wise, Bonnie Lane EULOGY Dr. C. Dexter Wise RECESSIONAL “Climbing Up the Mountain”
Farewell from Pauline
“Sorry I had to leave right away. Oh, I look down and smile at you every day. I love you, I am happy, so please don’t cry. Dear family, I had not time for goodbyes, But I am sure you could read the farewell in my eyes, Please carry on as before till all of us meet on Heaven’s bright shore. Remember I love you, remember I care, I’ll always be with you, though you don’t see me there.
Flower Bearer Family Friends
Pallbearers
Aaron Alsbrooks Andrew Alsbrooks George Fleming Frank Lane Clifford Smith Thomas Wright
Interment
Franklin Hills Memory Garden Canal Winchester, Ohio In lieu of flowers, the family request a “tribute gift” in memory of Pauline B. Alsbrooks. Please visit https://www.hospiceofcentralohio.org/donate/donate-now/ If you’d like, check the box provide Karen Alsbrooks’ address to notify the family of your gift. 4911 Bixby Park Place Groveport, OH 43125 Thank you for your support.
Memorial Booklet by DG Creative Studio www.dgcreativestudio.com