Lisa Annette Jenkins was born on February 16, 1964, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Marilyn (Jenkins) Witten. Lisa was also affectionately known as Pumpkin or Punkin. At the age of 7 in 1971, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio, with her mother, big brother, and little sister. Still, the family often returned home to Hawkinsville, Georgia, to visit relatives—a connection to the South she cherished throughout her life.

At the age of 16, Lisa began her first job at Burger King on Euclid Avenue. During that same period, she welcomed her first son, Damien Kentavius Jenkins, into the world. With unwavering strength and resilience, she continued pursuing her education and went on to graduate from South High School, balancing school and motherhood with determination well beyond her years.

Ambitious and committed to building a meaningful life for her growing family, Lisa later attended cosmetology school and developed an interest in the field of healthcare as a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA), working primarily in private-duty care. As life continued, she discovered her true professional passion in supporting individuals battling substance use disorders. She dedicated many years of her career to serving as a compassionate and steady presence for those seeking recovery, work that brought her deep fulfillment. In her later years, she dreamed of expanding that mission through her own nonprofit, Lisa’s Cove, a vision she held onto even though it had yet to come to fruition.

After becoming a mother at a young age to her first son, Lisa later expanded her family with three more children: Srebrenica (Benjamin) Kelley, Darrell (Bo) Benjamin Jr, and De’Asia Benjamin. To know Lisa was to know that her children were her pride and joy. She was a #ProudMom in every sense, celebrating their wins, encouraging their dreams, and cheering them on through every milestone. It brought her immense comfort that all of her children accepted Christ and three of them were baptized alongside her when she was rebaptized in July 2006—a moment that filled her heart with peace and gratitude.

Holidays were significant to her, and she created traditions her family continues to honor. She loved “switchin’ in the kitchen,” whipping up meals on a whim with whatever she had on hand. She especially enjoyed it when her son Bo grilled during the summer months; lamb chops were always the thing she couldn’t wait to bring.

Lisa loved music of all kinds, and you could often find her dancing—whether it was in the kitchen, at family gatherings, or simply around the house. Music lifted her spirit, and dancing brought her joy. Flowers of any kind brightened her day, and she surrounded herself with their beauty whenever she could. She also enjoyed relaxing with watching crime shows, the History Channel, and the news, often spending evenings unwinding with her favorite programs.

Lisa cherished the finer things in life and believed in living comfortably and beautifully. She enjoyed spa visits, routine hair and nail appointments, eating the best of foods, and traveling with her children—moments she considered true luxuries. From walking the streets of Manhattan, taking in the sights of Times Square, to enjoying white sand beaches in the Bahamas, Lisa enjoyed it all.

Known for her contagious laughter and uplifting spirit, Lisa had a remarkable ability to make anyone feel welcome in her presence. Her bubbly personality, warmth, and openness allowed her to make friends wherever she went. She was the truest definition of an extrovert: bright, bold, and unforgettable. She often gave heartfelt, encouraging words about navigating “this thing called life,” offering guidance, perspective, and comfort to anyone who needed it. She taught her children to have vision, set goals, and walk through life with purpose.

In the last decade of her life, Lisa faced profound challenges: caring for her ailing mother, coping with the unexpected passing of her oldest child, and navigating an ongoing health diagnosis since March 2021. Through it all, she remained determined and resilient. She fought with grace and strength, never losing her warmth or her will to live vibrantly. Surrounded by the same love and light she so freely gave to others, Lisa peacefully transitioned Home on Monday, December 1st, 2025, with her children by her side.

Lisa will be deeply missed. She is preceded in death by her brother, Jeffrey Jenkins; her mother, Marilyn (Jenkins) Witten; and her son Damien Kentavius Jenkins. She leaves behind her three remaining children, her children-in-love Ellari Benjamin & Naji H. Kelley, her sister Jennifer Jenkins, her grandchildren, Daylon Acton, Caleb Chambers, Ayden Jenkins, and bonus grandchild Collin Chambers, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and tons of family and friends who cherished her dearly.