The Shadow
Mrs. Virginia W. Jenkins Bowling departed from this life on March 18th, 2020, a victim of breast cancer.
She was born in Covington, VA on September 26th, 1936, to Robert Earl Bush and Grace Miller Bush.
She was a graduate of Covington High School, class of 1954 and enrolled in Asbury College in Wilmore, KY where she spent 2 years before transferring to the Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Lexington, KY. She graduated in 1959 with distinction.
Mrs. Jenkins Bowling moved to Richmond, KY in 1962. She continued her education at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing and after receiving her BSN she accepted a full-time position at the then Pattie A. Clay Hospital on Glyndon Avenue. Several years later, she enrolled in a Master’s program at Bellarmine University graduating in 1989 with an MSN.
Mrs. Bowling worked at the Pattie A. Clay Hospital for more than 30 years in various capacities, and as she moved into an administrative position, she advanced to vice president for patient care from which she retired in 1996. She then accepted a position as a nurse investigator for the Kentucky Board of Nursing, retiring in 2003. During her years of employment, she was very involved in nursing organizations and held offices at the state and local levels. In 1998, Mrs. Bowling was appointed by the governor of Kentucky to serve a four year term on the Kentucky Board of Nursing and during this time she held the positions of Secretary/Treasurer, vice president and president of the Board.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. R. Eugene Bowling, two sons, Darrell Weitkamp (Laura Weitkamp) and Donnie Weitkamp (La-Donna Sizemore-Weitkamp). Two granddaughters, Chase Weitkamp Daniel (Jacob and Xander Daniel) and Grace Weitkamp.
Also surviving is one sister, Mrs. Ethel Simpson of Clifton Forge, VA.
Also surviving are a number of step-children: Douglas H. Jenkins Jr (Janet), and Donna Jenkins Poindexter. Also, Suzanne Nichols, Daniel Bowling, (Nancy), Gina Elliott (Mike), Ralph Bowling (Sandy) and Jonathan Bowling. Also surviving are a number of step grandchildren, and nieces, Becky Griffith, Leah Linda Bush, and Dana Burt.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Douglas Jenkins, her brother (Dick) C R Bush of Richmond, VA., grandson, Clinton Robert Weitkamp and one step-grandson, Dylan Jenkins Poindexter.
Honoring her request Mrs. Jenkins Bowling’s body will be cremated and there will be no visitation or funeral but a memorial service may be scheduled at a later date. Her ashes will be placed in a burial plot in the Richmond Cemetery. ORP is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations maybe be made to the White Oak Pond Christian Church, 1238 Barnes Mill Rd, Richmond, KY 40475 or donations maybe be made to the Clinton R. Weitkamp scholarship fund at EKU, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond KY 40475.
