Evelyn Jenkins Crenshaw - Obituary

velyn Jenkins Crenshaw, age 69, transitioned from this world on January 8, 2026, after a battle with cancer. Her generosity and graciousness were evident even in her final days as she made a point to express her thanks and offer encouragement to each person who visited her. Evelyn entered this world on August 8, 1956, in Columbus, Georgia. She was the 9th of 13 children of Ezekiel and Ruth Jenkins. A career Army family, they moved often. Evelyn loved telling stories about growing up with her large family. A bright and curious child, Evelyn read every book in her hometown’s one-room library. As an adolescent, she was hit by a car, which left her in a body cast. She recovered and became an accomplished track and field athlete, and the anchor of her team’s 4x100-meter relay. After graduating early from West Columbus High School, Evelyn enlisted in the US Air Force. Recognized for her dedication, commitment to excellence, and leadership capabilities, she rose through the ranks, becoming one of the few Black women to attain the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. She was a respected aide to several generals, where she played a key role in coordinating official functions, often orchestrating elaborate formal dinners that reflected both her organizational mastery and gift for hospitality. She retired in 2003 after a distinguished 28-year career that included traveling to dozens of countries. In retirement, she was an active member of the Women in the Air Force Association, helping with recruitment and treasury needs. Evelyn’s second career, a 20-year stint as Chief of Security at the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA), was equally accomplished. She led the improvement of safety processes and managed a team that kept the building’s occupants safe. During holidays, weather emergencies, the pandemic, and the odd false alarm, she was on call making sure all was well. Her office was a bastion of plants and snacks where her colleagues were always welcome. Never content with good enough, she used her wide-ranging skills to enhance the beautification of the grounds and streamline breakroom offerings. Evelyn was a devoted woman of God who joined Hope Lutheran Church in 1988. She was moved by the church’s mission “to be God’s presence in a hurting world” and worked to make that statement a reality. She led the church’s charitable efforts, ranging from leading backpack drives to creating supply kits for unhoused folks to working with the local food bank and more. She expanded the church’s social calendar, with the annual gingerbread house workshop and Mother’s Day tea being highlights. She loved helping with retreats, driving hours to serenade participants, and co-leading the youth program. Within the Metro DC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Evelyn served in synod assemblies and then as Vice President for six years. In 2009, she joined others in advocating for the ordination of LGBTQ clergy, embodying her conviction that the church should be a place of welcome and belonging for all. Known affectionately as “MomE,” she always had a place at her table for anyone needing a warm, maternal influence. In particular, she was a safe place to land for many in the LGBTQ+ community. During the early years of the AIDS epidemic, she fostered awareness and compassion by welcoming those impacted by the disease and bringing her family to memorials and walks raising funds for prevention and treatment. She was fiercely proud of her daughter, wholeheartedly embraced her child-in-law, adored her niece Bryanna, and enthusiastically sat front row at drag shows. In 2007, she chartered the IncREDible Women chapter of the Red Hat Society with three other women. She was voted to serve as Treasurer, a post she held until her passing. She led social and charitable efforts, with members fondly remembering sleepovers at Solomons Island, holiday parties at Mama Stella’s, trips to plays and cabarets, participating in breast cancer walks, volunteering at So Others Might Eat, collecting winter coats, and delivering supplies to shelters, among many other efforts. Evelyn was an excellent cook and baker who delighted in expressing love through food and hospitality. Her holiday gatherings, with impressive spreads, were legendary. She would prepare meals and travel long distances to fellowship with family and friends. Evelyn loved gifting jams and prepared foods that she made with intention. She would often include plants from her garden, which was her pride and joy that she tended for 30 years. She was also proud of her ability to cook in a fireplace, which she developed during her time as a volunteer historical interpreter. Evelyn was often described by her friends as high energy and eager to try new things. A day trip might find her viewing the wild ponies at Assateague Island or a hot air balloon festival. If a friend would ride shotgun, they road-tripped to any points of interest that could be accessed with a single tank of gas. She took every opportunity to travel, especially to visit family or to adventure with her youngest daughter. As a foodie, she was enthusiastic about trying new restaurants and food trucks. She loved the theater, especially musicals and drama. Evelyn loved a sale and could not drive past a thrift store or a discount store without stopping in to take a look. She built an impressive collection of hats and jewelry that reflected her vibrant personality and never missed an opportunity to dress up. Evelyn was usually the first person on the dance floor and often the last person to leave. At a time when women were shying away from weight lifting, she was in the gym pumping iron and encouraging other women to join her. She loved Zumba and attended 7 am water aerobics classes up until she fell ill. Whether it was caring for the ducks living in the planters at work, making suet balls for birds in the winter, stopping to move a turtle in the road, or doting on her pets, Evelyn had a soft spot for animals. She regularly volunteered with and raised money for the Humane Society of Charles County, where she got her last fur baby, Scooter. You could find her cleaning up roads and rivers, planting pollinator gardens, and living the ethos of reduce/reuse/recycle long before environmentalism became popular. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Alphonso, George, and Stephen, and three sisters, Carlethia, Ruby, and Ruth. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Kenneth Crenshaw, two children and bonus kid, Teresa Crenshaw, Leigh Crenshaw Player, and child-in-law, Carmen Player. She is also survived by her siblings - Laura Luke (Jerry), Ezekiel Jenkins (Deborah) Benjamin Jenkins (Kim), Tyrone Jenkins, Marsha Jenkins, and Naomi Brown - as well as countless extended family, in-laws, friends, and colleagues whom she loved dearly. Evelyn’s ashes will be interred with full military honors on Friday, March 6 at 1:00 p.m. at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, March 7 at 12:00 noon at Peace Lutheran Church in Waldorf, MD. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society of Charles County (https://humanesocietycc.org/donate/give-today.html).