Jeneta Adina Benjamin was born on the 14th April 1928 to the proud parents of Reuben Messam and Lucy Smith, in the parish of Kingston Jamaica.

Jeneta was an only child. 

She attended Ebenezer Elementary School in Kingston, where she made many many friends some of whom she reconnected with when she travelled to England. 

As a young woman Jeneta enjoyed doing many activities and developed a range of skills including embroidery, dress making and cooking, but most of all she really enjoyed music and she loved to dance.  So much so that in her late teenage years on a Saturday night Jeneta would attend the elite clubs in Kingston one of which was the ‘The Glass Bucket’ and another was Foresters Hill. These were the place to be for an enjoyable night of singing and dancing which she absolutely loved.   Wherever Jeneta went, she was always the life and soul of the party.  In fact, the party didn’t start until she walked in and didn’t end until she left.

Jeneta had a unique style of dressing with an elegantly tall posture and small physique. She always looked spectacular, she would have fancy hair styles, boasy nail designs and wear lots and lots of jewellery. 

Jeneta was a woman of strong values, morals and principles who didn’t stand for any injustice, put frankly she would fight to defend these principles. 

On one occasion back in Jamaica, Jeneta and her cousin Ivy were sent to the local shop by their aunt and they both ended up in a fight. Jeneta held on to 2 victims (notice I called them victims) whilst Ivy quickly returned home to bring the shopping to their aunt and then rushed back to assist her cousin Jeneta to finish off the fight. Both Jeneta and her cousin Ivy were known in their area of Kingston as 2 women not to be messed with.

Jeneta had 2 children whilst in Jamaica, Wilfred her first son and Joan her first daughter.  As Jeneta was an only child, she was very very close to her mother. So much so that she entrusted the care of Wilfred and Joan to her mother when she immigrated to England in 1955.

Upon arriving in England, Jeneta began a career in nursing and quickly secured a position at the Oakhurst Maternity Unit in Sutton Coldfield. 

Now living in England, she reunited with many of her friends from Jamaica, in particular a special friend, Andrew Augustus Benjamin whom she later married and from this union, she had 3 more children, Audrey, Michael and Birdel.

Jeneta eventually left the nursing profession and embarked on an entrepreneurial journey.  She provided a range of services over many decades, which lead to her being regarded a one of the most prominent black women in Balsall Heath.

Jeneta set up her own childminding service in Balsall Heath, which catered for all members of the community from all different cultures and ran for more than 10 years. This was one of the first registered childminding services in Balsall Heath and she had over 350 children pass through her care. It was during this role that she acquired her many names Mommy Jen, Auntie Jennie, Sister Jen and Nanny Benjie to name but a few.

The children who attended her child-minding enjoyed a range of activities from playing the home piano, performing plays to each other and their parents, singing song and most of all going over the road to the famous Calthorpe Park which was the local paly ground for all the children living in Balsall Heath.  

Still embodying her unique sense of style that she held onto from Kingston Jamaica, Jeneta set the trend wearing her multiple earrings, bangles, and chains. She was often referred to as Mrs T from the A Team in reference to the character who wore all the jewellery – This is something that even up until now she will always be remembered for.

Inspiring others with her unique style and fashion, Jeneta did hair dressing using the old fashion pressing combs & curling iron. She also did dress making and would often make one off design garments for the local women in the community. 

She ran a large community Pardner which helped many people to purchase their first homes and send for their loved ones from the Caribbean.

Being a lover of cooking, and a very good cook at that, she cooked meals for members of the community who worked long hours and for families who did not have suitable cooking facilities in their home. She also enjoyed baking and would bake cakes for all occasions, weddings, christenings and birthday parties.

Jeneta was also an official sponsor for individuals that were entering the UK from the Caribbean. She would be the named person that would go to collect them, give them food and provide them with a place to stay until they were able to find work.

Later on, Jeneta started working at the Cannon Hill Pub in Balsall heath where her vibrant personality and character attracted even more people into her live. Jeneta opened her heart to everyone she met and was loved by all the customers who socialised at the Cannon Pub. She went on to become the assistant manager and then the manager and worked there for many years.

Whilst working at the pub, Jeneta became very good friends with the local funeral directors in Balsall Heath, Wheatley and Son. This friendship developed and Jeneta used the opportunity to provide support to the local community of Balsall Heath by assisting families in arranging their funerals. She took part in all aspects of the arrangements from making the gowns for the deceased ladies, cooking the food for the wake and providing compassionate support to the families who had lost loved ones.  

Jeneta then went onto work at Balsall Heath Day Care Centre for the elderly. This was her final employment before retiring to spend time with her many many grandchildren.

Even though she had officially retired, Jeneta was still active in the community. She was identified as the go to person for individuals who were applying for their British Citizenship. She would assist in both completing and submitting the application forms to the relevant authorities.

Alongside the numerous work roles and supporting services that Jeneta provided to the Balsall Heath community over the years; She was still a lively woman who was young at heart and her love for music and dancing was still ingrained in her. So much so that she used to keep blues parties in the Balsall Heath area. These were always very well attended as everyone knew there would be great music, good food, a well-stocked bar along with the radiant welcoming smile from the host. 

Jeneta also organised many day trips on coaches to various locations, such as Rhyl Skegness, Blackpool, Bournemouth, South-end-on-sea to name but a few. Jeneta would always make sure there was plenty of food and drinks to feed everyone on the coaches. From the adult to the children. On one occasion when they stopped off at their usual service station on the motorway, there was 2 coach spaces allocated with reserved parking. The sign on these reserved spaces read “MOMMY JEN’s COACHES from Birmingham ONLY

Jeneta’s favourite pass time when she retired and was given her free bus, was riding on the buses. She would jump on and off buses every day. She knew most of the bus routes and which number bus would take you to which location.  The grandchildren absolutely loved when nanny was coming to take them out because they knew they were going on the buses. This was really exciting for them as they usually travelled in cars.

Over the years most of the bus drivers got to know her and she would often give them a fruit whenever she got on their bus. This was where she was given the name MOMMY FRUITS by the bus drivers as word spread around the bus depot of the lovely lady who looked after all the drivers. Anywhere they saw mommy fruits they would stop their bus even if this wasn’t and official bus stop, they would just stop their bus and assisted mom the get on and sit comfortably before they drove off.

Jeneta loved taking time out to do the things she really enjoyed, one of which was going to the sauna every week. Once again, her amazing welcoming spirit enabled her to develop close friendship with many of the other women who also attended the sauna on a weekly basis.

In 2014 Jeneta moved from Balsall Heath and lived in Harborne.

She attended the Onneley House Day Centre for the Elderly in Harborne several times a week, and yes as you can imagine she was adored by all the staff and the other individuals who used the service. Whenever she arrived at the centre, the other attendees would fuss over who’s sitting next to Jenny today. The ring and ride transport drivers would argue over who’s bringing Jenny home today. The visiting DJs would often dedicate specific song to Jenny and then invite her to sing along and dance which we all know that was her passion. Once again, the life and soul of the party.

Jeneta touched the lives of everyone she met from the young to the old and you can see by the amount of people that have turned out today that she was a very very loved woman.

She had done many things over the years and met many stars too, from Elvis Priestly, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and John Holt.  She even went to Australia to watch England play cricket and watched wrestling live in America and also in England with her grand-children.

Jeneta just loved life.

She was caring, fun-loving, joyful, patient, enduring, compassionate, and she lived life to its fullest.  Don’t be fooled, she was a no-nonsense woman and would always tell you if you were wrong.  For one individual to poses so many qualities she was truly, truly blessed.

An Angel here amongst us on earth

On Saturday the 17th July, Jeneta suffered a major stroke which left her with life changing disabilities. She came out of hospital and returned back to her home in Harborne on Tuesday 24th August. Towards the last few days of her life Jeneta managed to spend time in the presence of her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren along with devoted carer Vickie.

On Wednesday 15th September Jeneta took a turn for the worse and was rushed to the QE hospital.  Sadly, she passed away that evening with her loving daughter Audrey right by her side. 

Jeneta had over 40 grandchildren, over 47 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.  WHAT A LEGACY!!!!!

This amazing woman made our world a brighter and better place. She was there through the laughter and there through the tears and filled our lives with sweet moments over many many years.

We will all treasure the memories we have of Jeneta Adina Benjamin,  AKA, Mommy Jen, Mommy Benjie, Sister Jen, Auntie Jen, Nanny Benjie, The Great One, Mommy Fruits, The official QUEEN OF BALSALL HEATH 

She will forever have a special place in all of our hearts.

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE NANNY

Birdel

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