Rockledge 100-year-old shines as family, friends throw 'Drive By Honk and Wave' parade

Britt Kennerly, Florida Today
Updated ·3 min read

Mother Nature threatened to rain on Johnnie Mae Jenkins' birthday parade.

But despite the overcast sky and stormy weather earlier, all was bright and beautiful as her community came through for newly minted centenarian "Mother Jenkins."

Instead of raindrops, joy flooded Revilla Lane in Rockledge Wednesday as a "Drive By Honk and Wave," complete with fire truck, marked Jenkins' 100th birthday. Cars rolled by her home, where she sat under an awning, waving and receiving guests bearing cards, flowers and hugs. Guests included relatives. Church family from Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Cocoa. Rockledge police officers and fire officials. A drumline from Orlando.

A June 7 "Drive By Honk and Wave" celebrated the 100th birthday of Johnnie M. Jenkins of Rockledge. Members of Drumlines of America performed and a parade of well wishers in vehicles drove by her Rockledge home honking, waving, bringing cards, gifts, and hugs. A celebration was also held June 3 at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Cocoa.

In a pre-parade chat, Jenkins laughed about all the parties that come one's way in a century, including a big 75th bash. This was the third "drive by and wave" party in a row that's rolled her way.

"I told my family, we had the 98th and the 99th; don't worry about the 100th. But they gave it to me anyway," she said.

Cornelia and Rockledge CIty Council member Michael Cadore visit with Johnnie Jenkins at a "Drive By Honk and Wave" for Jenkins, who turned 100 on Wednesday.
Cornelia and Rockledge CIty Council member Michael Cadore visit with Johnnie Jenkins at a "Drive By Honk and Wave" for Jenkins, who turned 100 on Wednesday.

"It's a blessing. It's a godsend and I don't take it for granted ... I just appreciate it all."

Jenkins deserves all the love poured on her, her family assures.

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"She's a very loving, caring God-fearing woman, who will do anything for her family," said Pam Hooks, daughter of Jenkins' daughter Ruby Hooks.

"Anything."

Ask around: This woman has a fan club that spreads far beyond her street.

"We're absolutely honored to be able to celebrate an icon here in our community," said Rockledge City Councilman Michael Cadore, a longtime friend. "100 years old .. that's how you do it. A live band. Roses. Family and friends to come out and support her. We're so honored to be able to say thank you and we love and appreciate this amazing woman of God."

A June 7 "Drive By Honk and Wave" celebrated the 100th birthday of Johnnie M. Jenkins. Members of Drumlines of America performed and a parade of well wishers in vehicles drove by her Rockledge home.
A June 7 "Drive By Honk and Wave" celebrated the 100th birthday of Johnnie M. Jenkins. Members of Drumlines of America performed and a parade of well wishers in vehicles drove by her Rockledge home.

Amen, said Cadore's wife, Cornelia Cadore: "It is truly a blessing to know her and to love her."

She easily slips into spirited conversation about her growing-up years in Brevard County. She moved here from Bainbridge, Georgia, with family 87 years ago, at age 13, and has watched the Space Coast boom.

Jenkins speaks of going from a "frame house to a brick house" between 1923 and 2023. Of having eight children —five of whom are still living — and being a great-great-grandmother. Of her husband commenting in her younger days on her love of black-eyed peas and fried chicken: "To this day, I love fried chicken," she said, laughing.

She's "seen a lot," said Jenkins, whose family first lived on Merritt Island and then, Cocoa.

"I've seen the wooden bridge torn down, where we used to have to open up the bridge to let the boats go through ... SunTrust used to be nothing but water. When we lived on Merritt Island, we used to have to walk across a wooden bridge, and I would have a palmetto bush ... we used that to keep the mosquitoes away, they were so bad."

A June 7 "Drive By Honk and Wave" celebrated the 100th birthday of Johnnie Jenkins of Rockledge, who is pictured with her great-great-granddaughter Nevaeh, age 4.
A June 7 "Drive By Honk and Wave" celebrated the 100th birthday of Johnnie Jenkins of Rockledge, who is pictured with her great-great-granddaughter Nevaeh, age 4.

Of all the "modern-day" conveniences, she most enjoys the two that keep her cool and in contact with that big, loving family that's grown by leaps and bounds over 100 years.

"I like my air-conditioning," she said.

David E. Bryant, senior pastor at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Cocoa, waves to the birthday girl at a June 7 Drive By Honk and Wave for Mrs. Johnnie M. Jenkins, who turned 100 on Wednesday. Members of Drumlines of America performed and a parade of well wishers in vehicles drove by her Rockledge home honking, waving and bringing cards, gifts, and hugs. A celebration was also held June 3 at the church.

"And my telephone."

Life is good, Jenkins said, prompting her to recall the influence of her favorite passages from the book of Psalms, a psalm of praise and faith.

"I love my family. I love my church family, and my church," she said. "They've all been so supportive.

"A year ago, I was really sick. And my family took care of me, and so did my church family. I live by Psalm 30," she said, referring to the Psalm whose message is that all credit goes to God. "I like the 27th, and the 23rd, but for some reason, the 30th really brought me through. So if anybody ever reads the 30th Psalm, it relates to me."

Britt Kennerly is education/breaking news editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or bkennerly@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Who doesn't love a parade? Community honors Rockledge 100-year-old