Kern County Obituaries

Imogene 'Jeannie' Markarian

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown

Imogene 'Jeannie' Markarian passed away at her California City home on September 21, 
2000.
Jeannie was born to Frederick and Roxie Jenkins on June 11, 1930 in Batteist, Oklahoma, the 
second of eight children. At the age of 17 she and her cousin hitchhiked from Oklahoma to 
California in search of a new life. She worked as a waitress in Los Angeles where she met and 
married her first husband, Chad Palmer. Her first son Ronnie was born at that time. After her divorce 
from her first husband, she met and married Dick Markarian. They lived in North Hollywood where 
Dickie and Jimmy were born.
Dick Sr. owned a gas station, but sold it to buy another one in California City in 1964. The 
'Richfield' gas station, which is now Chevron located at California City Blvd. and Neuralia. 
Jeannie began working at the Driftwood Lodge in California City after her divorce from Dick 
Sr. She was now a single mother of three young boys supported only by a waitress' wages. She 
tried to go to college to earn better pay, but with the boys and her work, she would often fall 
asleep at the typewriter, and eventually dropped out of school. It was then she learned how to 
make a dollar stretch.
Her boys were her life. Whenever she would entertain a potential suitor in her life, Dickie and 
Jimmy would voice their objections (as they always would no matter who it was!) She would 
always make her boys' wishes and desires her first priority. Consequently, Jeannie never 
remarried. The boys grew up and moved away and still she worked, as a waitress to support 
herself. She worked in Mojave for a while and then took an elderly man in her home 
whom she took care of for several years, until he became very ill and died.
She became a caretaker of the sick until a number of years ago when she 'retired' to stay 
home. She kept so busy, and was always active. You might have seen her every morning on 
her daily walks, or at the pool where she loved to swim. She loved to work in her yard or in her 
garden.
It wasn't until just a few months ago that she was diagnosed with lymphoma, a disease the 
doctors predicted would give her seven to ten years. This disease took her only a few short 
months.
Jeannie's legacy to those who have been fortunate enough to know her is a legacy of 
sacrifice and selflesness. Her whole life was dedicated to serving others. Her greatest 
calling was that of mother and grandmother. There was nothing she wouldn't do to help 
her children whenever they needed it. Often she would sacrifice her own needs. She took 
time to spend with each of her grandchildren. She never missed their birthdays and always made 
them feel like they were the most important people in her life. She was so much fun! Grandma was 
always cool. She also adopted other children as her grandchildren and loved them as her own.
She loved her church. She especially loved the missionaries and found great joy in 
making sure they were well fed. Jeannie's place was a little like home to these young men and 
they loved to come by for a few minutes for a refreshing drink. Her sense of humor and 
quick wit endeared her to all who knew her. She was so easy to love. She endured a very 
hard life and became a strong lady who loved life. She had so many friends who loved her 
dearly.
Her greatest gift to all of us was the example she set as a teacher - she taught us that humility 
is really a wonderful blessing and that a life of service is a life so beautifully and perfectly lived.
Jeannie was a true pioneer in California City, having lived in this community for over 36 years. 
She is survived by her son, Ronnie Palmer of Canyon Country, Dick Markarian and his wife Amy 
of Granite Bay, CA; and Jim Markarian; her brothers, Jack Jenkins and his wife Sharon of 
Oklahoma; Fred Jenkins and his wife Toni of Oklahoma; R.F. Jenkins of Pennsylvania; her sisters, 
Shirley Wolf of Oklahoma; and Patsy Pemberton of Oklahoma; her 10 grandchildren including 
Christopher Markarian., Tiffany, Ely, Adam, Zachary, Nicholas, Chelsea, Mark and Carrie.
Jeannie was buried at California City Memorial Park following services at the LDS 
Church in Mojave on September 24.
We miss your sweet spirit Jeannie, yet we are comforted in the knowledge that you are now in 
the arms of a loving Father in Heaven.

NOTE: Photo At: http://www.calarchives4u.com/photos/kern/