Mary Ellen Jerkins

Mary Jerkins, 75, of Wasilla, Alaska died Saturday, January 5, 2019.

She was born December 30, 1943 in Plant City, Florida, daughter of Herman and Lillian Jerkins.

She graduated from Plant City High in 1960 then went on to get her nursing degree from Florida Southern University.

She married James Clendening on September 10, 1962. They lived in Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana and moved to Alaska in 2009. James passed away December 30, 2018.

Her love of nursing was evident throughout her 30 plus year career. She loved the excitement of E.R. Trauma. Her twin sister Marie was also a nurse and they traveled to Hawaii and served together in one of the local hospitals.

Mary lived with her sister in Wasilla, Alaska where even though retired they continued to serve others in the senior apartment complex. They both loved garage sales and playing bingo. Even going to Walmart was an exciting adventure for these two.

Mary is survived by her children; Sheryl Tarr of Shreveport, LA., Tommy Clendening of Palmer, Alaska; brother John Jerkins of Gainesville, Florida,; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by her father, mother, twin sister and a brother.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Chapel Shreveport on January 19, 2019 at 6pm.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff of Mat-Su Regional Hospital in Palmer, Alaska, the Stat Home Health Team and St. Joseph's Hospice Team in Shreveport. We also want to thank her friends and Church family of the WASI Center in Wasilla and the friends and Church family at Calvary Chapel Shreveport.