By Cristin Ross
cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com
A Rusk family suffered the loss of their fifth-grade daughter Saturday in a four-wheeling accident.
Rusk Intermediate School student Carmen Jenkins, 11, was pronounced dead at the scene by Smith County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger, after the all-terrain vehicle she was operating reportedly flipped over onto her.
“Our thoughts and our prayers go out to the family,” Rusk Independent School District Superintendent Jim Largent said. “We want them to know we’re thinking of them and are here to support them in any way we can during this terrible time.”
Smith County Sheriff’s Department reports the incident occurred about 5:45 p.m. Saturday on Smith County Road 313 West.
Officials said the family was visiting the child’s grandparents’ house in Red Springs.
Funeral services for Carmen Leanna Jenkins were held today at First Baptist Church in Rusk. She was buried at Meador Cemetery.
She was a member of Gallatin Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her parents, Clint and Ellen Jenkins of Rusk; sisters, Linda Gluck and Jessica Jenkins, both of Rusk; brother, Phillip Bryce Jenkins of Rusk; grandfather, Phillip Oliver Jenkins of Rusk; grandmother, Shane Woodall of Jacksonville; grandfather, Terry D’Andrea of Jacksonville; and grandparents, Freddie and Donna Hooper of Tyler.
An account, the Carmen Leeann Jenkins Tragedy Fund, has been set up at the Jacksonville branch of Southside Bank to help with funeral expenses.
