Betty Rae Jenkins

Betty Rae Jenkins 82, passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 11, 2022 in the comfort of her family.

Betty Rae was born in Oregon, Drain high school graduate, life-long resident of Oregon and lived in her beloved Burns area for the last 31 years.

Betty Rae enjoyed going up into the Steens Mts. every opportunity she had to enjoy the breathtaking beauty and solitude of the area. Her love of the Steens Mts. area began with an introduction by her uncle, Loren Myers, who worked with Veltie Pruitt operating pack trips and hunting parties up on the Steens Mts. In 1969, Betty Rae was hired on as a cook, providing meals for the paid customers who had come to hunt big game. She lived on-site in a tiny little cabin with a wood stove that provided her light and heat. She never forgot her experience and vowed to return to the area one day.

Betty Rae moved her 3 daughters to Prineville, Oregon in 1970 and began working at the Coin Millwork. She worked at Coin Millwork for 8 years, earning many safety awards for her superior work effort.

Betty Rae was hired as the 1st woman log truck driver for the Murphy company operating out of Springfield, Oregon in 1979. She enjoyed 5 minutes of celebrity status on the movie “Big Top” which documented the Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1982. She also drove log truck for LT&L when moving to Burns in 1990.

Upon retiring from truck driving, Betty Rae served her community well by driving medical need patients to Bend hospital for several years. Earning money was not her priority but taking care of those in need. She felt compelled to serve the community in many ways sharing her beliefs as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses while visiting the homes of many residents in Harney County.

Betty Rae was the devoted daughter of Art and Ila Jenkins, residents of Oregon who have previously passed. She is survived by her sisters, Sharon (Ernie) Seaton, Merry Sitz and Sandy (David) Schmizzle. Betty Rae’s daughters are Diane Medina, Lorre (Darrel) Hart and Deena Jackson. She has 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren. Betty Rae Jenkins will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved a deeply thoughtful, giving person that was so much fun to be with.

No services will be held in respect of Betty Rae’s wishes.

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