Age 71 Beloved wife of the late Milton Jenkins loving daughter of the late Jesse Ballard Sr. A native of Alabama and the late Lurlee a native of Mississippi Maxine the eighth of fifteen children she is a retired kindergarten teacher with the Detroit Public Schools retiring in 2006. Maxine holds a BA and MA degrees from the University Of Detroit Mercy during the 1960's and the 1970's Maxine was a singer and entertainer Maxine is the author of the book about her sister Florence Glenda Ballard Chapman who was an original member of the Motown singing group The Supremes originally known as The Primettes before going to Motown Records in Detroit (Florence Ballard was the founder of the group and sang with Diana Ross and Mary Wilson) The book is called The True Story Of Florence Ballard. Maxine is the beloved mother of three sons Milton, Chris and Dwayne Timothy and three daughters Florence, Lurlee and Dr. Robin Lee she is predeceased by her brothers the late Cornell the late Gilbert the late Jesse Jr. the late Roy predeceased by sister Florence Glenda Ballard Chapman Maxine is survived by daughters Florence Lurlee Dr. Robin Lee sons Milton Chris Dwayne Timothy brother Billy Ballard and sisters Geraldine Barbara Jean Pat Linda Kay fifteen grandchildren nine great grandchildren and countless cousins nephews nieces Maxine will also be remembered by her second husband Armand Abney and her extended family among the Abney children grandchildren and great grandchildren and host of many friends. Maxine Precious Ballard Jenkins will be remembered as a wonderful wife incredible mother inspiring teacher author speaker mentor and role model and champion of family. Funeral arrangements were handled by the James H. Cole Funeral Home located at 2624 West Grand Boulvard in Detroit Gravesite Services will be held on Saturday December 28, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. in the Garden Of Love Section at the United Memorial Gardens Cemetery located at 4800 Curtis Road in Plymouth Township Michigan