Veola (Jenkins) Dillard

Life’s Reflections of

Mother Veola Dillard

Veola Jenkins Dillard was born July 25, 1926 in Dumas, Arkansas to the late Elijah and Lottie Evans Jenkins.  She attended Reed Elementary and High School.  She accepted Christ in 1939 at the age of 13 at St. Peters Rock Baptist Church in Dumas, Ark.  Veola left Dumas at age 18 and lived in many other cities until 1959.  These included Omaha, NB - Dallas, TX - Chicago, ILL and Detroit, MI.  During these years she worked hard at many different jobs in hospitals, a paper-stock company and as a cook at Ellen Harris’ Restaurant in Dallas, Texas.  She enjoyed cooking and was good at it.  Those were both trying and exciting years for her and there were many stories she shared.  Yes, Veola was a woman who always enjoyed traveling and having a good time with family and friends. Illness in her later years prevented her from packing that suitcase and going to an airport.  She was a feisty, determined and direct woman.  She would speak her mind and make no apologies for her opinions.  

In 1959 her grandmother died and Veola returned home to Dumas, Arkansas for the funeral and stayed until 1977.  It was then that she decided to move to Kansas City, KS.  After arriving, she joined Calvary Baptist Church, under the late Pastor O.L. Brown; later, Bethel Baptist Church, under the late Pastor R.C. Higgs.  Some years later until her passing, Veola was a member and Mother of the Church at 47th Street Baptist Church, under the late Pastor Charles E. Mitchell, Sr. and Associate Minister Frank Allen.  Min Allen made sure she had a ride to church each Sunday while he was there.  Pastor Mitchell was like a son to her because he grew up and attended school with her sons in Dumas, Ark. 

Veola was married several times, husbands Robert Banks, Sam Bryant, Benny Porch, and A.D. Dillard, all of whom are deceased.  There are those who even today call Veola ‘Porch’ and “Mama B” as nicknames.

Veola had six siblings; two sisters, Estella Jenkins and Lottie Williams, two brothers, Earl (died as an infant) and Matthew (deceased); two sons, Earl Estes and Albert Jenkins (both deceased). 

She leaves to cherish her memories, a special nephew, James Jenkins (Doris) of Milwaukee, WI; 2 daughters-in-law, Velma Estes of Meriden, CT and Ida Sue Jenkins, KCMO; a brother, Odell Jenkins, Chicago, IL; a sister, Mae Jewel Jenkins, Dumas, AR; 4 granddaughters, Lisa, Veronica, and Keisha Jenkins, all of KCMO and a special granddaughter, Deborah Ann Williams-Estes of Meriden, CT;  6 great grandchildren, KnyElah, Imari, Amarion, RaiKiya, Larry III, Realah, all of KCMO;  7 great nieces/nephews, Schwanda, Toya, Trina, Leo, Steve, Erik and Tamyka, all of WI; a host of cousins; two ‘adopted’ sisters, Betty Green and Judy Brockman, and nephew, Jimmie Brockman, all of KCKS.  She was especially close to Deacon Cleveland (Margaret) Luster, Joanne (Emmanuel) Sauls, Betty Harris, Patsy/Mary Bush; and others who loved and did so much to help her in her times of need.

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