Lori "Kiesha" Jenkins

Obituary For Lori "Kiesha" Jenkins

Lori Ann Jenkins (aka Kiesha) was born at 518 Hickam Dr. on Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine. Due to her speedy arrival her mother, Dorothy Kendall Jenkins, and father, Luther Jenkins (both deceased) were unable to get to the hospital. Thus, her independent, determined nature manifested itself from birth.

Keisha, the youngest of 5 children, was thoroughly spoiled throughout her life by her siblings; Darllaine Thomas, Cynthia Jackson, William Jenkins and Estella (Sissy) Jenkins, as well as her parents – especially her father.

Educated in the Limestone, Maine school system, she excelled in her studies.In her senior year she decided to attend the University of Southern Maine where she graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Political Science in 1997.Her education didn’t stop there:

University of Maine School of Law: Juris Doctorate, 2000

Edmunds S. Muskie School of Public Service:

• Professional Certificate in Non-profit Management, Magna cum Laude, 2000.
• M.A. Public Policy & Management, Cum Laude, 2000.
• Ph.D. (ABD) Public Policy & Management, Magna cum Laude, 2002.

PA Bar, Admitted in 2003, #91913

During this span of time (August 1998 – May 2001) she was also a Graduate Assistant at the University of Southern Maine (Portland) in the Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs.

Time will not permit the full listingof the various jobs Kiesha worked during her brief time on earth. When she assembled her resume’ people would think that she was reporting on several people. Her jobs included:

Pennsylvania Management Associate;

Director Office of Health Equity (OHE);

Human Resource Analyst II, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission;

Program Analyst II, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR);

Temporary Utility Termination Investigator, Public Utility Commission;

U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau (2020 Decennial Census), Harrisburg, PA; Human Resource Manager, York Academy Regional Charter School, York, PA.

Her qualifications included everything from Human Resources, Legal Analysis, Course Development, and Strategic Event and Program Planning.

However, the job that she really enjoyed was as a self-employed Attorney at Future Foundations in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In this position she provided virtually free legal services for individuals who were not in a position to compensate an attorney, and was known as the “Welfare Lawyer”. She held this job from 2004 until her untimely death. Kiesha came from a family who was known for over extending themselves to help people. She was not adopted!

One of her major achievements was running for the position of12-1-5 Magisterial District Justice at the 29th Street Courthouse. Even though she wasn’t elected to the position, she made a name for herself and garnered many supporters in the community.

While Kiesha accomplished so much during her lifetime it was her relationship with God that meant the most to her. She was a “PK” (Preachers Kid) who loved the Lord and was well known throughout the COGIC community. Involved in the church since childhood, she was a National and Jurisdictional member of the Sunshine Band, the Purity Class, and the Music Ministry. Kiesha was an avid church worker who could be counted on to help wherever she was needed. Because of this, she was often called upon to either head up a committee, put on a program, provide legal advice, work in the kitchen or counsel the youth. Even though she would sometimes fuss and complain, she did whatever she was asked of her, and the results were always more than expected.

There was a fun loving side to Kiesha that those who knew her best could attest to. Her main hobby was shopping – and it showed in the outfits she wore. She loved “good” food and was known for her hospitality. If you were down-and-out and needed a good meal or a place to stay, you were always welcome to stop by the “Kiesha Inn”. Her last act of kindness was to donate her kidneys, heart and liver to help those who were in desperate need of those organs. The recipients were quickly found, and are exceedingly grateful for the donation she made. People who receive organs sometimes take on the characteristics of the donor. If this is the case, Kiesha’s legacy will go on for years to come.

Even though she will be greatly missed, we know she’s in heaven eating that heavenly manna along with her fried chicken. She leaves to mourn her beloved siblings: Darlline Thomas, Cindy Jackson, William Jenkins, and Estella Jenkins; two ‘special siblings’ Danny Buskey and Pat Chambers; niece, Alexis Jenkins; nephew Terrence Thomas; along with great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of family, friends and associates.

Kiesha may not have had a long life by some standards, but she packed several lifetimes into the brief time God allowed her to spend with us. While it is true that she had several health challenges, she never let that stop her from being the beautiful person that she undeniably was. We miss you Kiesha and look forward to seeing you again in that “great getting up morning”.

Her life will be celebrated on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of Lingo Memorial Church of God in Christ, 2747 Reel Street, Harrisburg with viewing and visitation from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. and burial in William Howard Day Cemetery.