Alice Jenkins, 92, played semi-pro basketball

Alice Jenkins played semi-pro women’s basketball in Atlanta in the 1940s, continuing even after the births of her first two children.

“My brother and I remember going to the games. We were really little,” said her daughter, Linda Garyantes of Roswell.

After her next two children were born, Mrs. Jenkins no longer had time for basketball. She poured her considerable energy into being a homemaker, her daughter said. The family moved from Atlanta to Smyrna, where Mrs. Jenkins lived for 47 years.

“She made all of our clothes. She was such a good seamstress you couldn’t tell they didn’t come from the store,” Mrs. Garyantes said. “She made dresses, suits, jackets. Her friends would bring over their clothes for alterations.”

Mrs. Jenkins was known as an outstanding cook, famous for her pot roast gravy. “It was like no gravy you’d ever had,” her daughter said.

Mrs. Jenkins, 92, died Tuesday at Amelia Gardens personal care home. The graveside service is 1 p.m. today at Crest Lawn Memorial Park. Davis-Streumpf Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include another daughter, Anita Reily of Powder Springs; two sons, George Jenkins and Sid Jenkins, both of Smyrna; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

— Kirsten Tagami