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Telling The Next Generation About Laura Jenkins

Laura and Jeff Jenkins

Laura and Jeff Jenkins

It was a fate that was destined to be for Jeff Jenkins and his future wife, Laura Colley. Both students had strong family ties to Freed-Hardeman College, starting with their grandparents. When it came time for each of them to further their education, Freed-Hardeman seemed to be the natural choice. Just like their parents, Jeff and Laura met at Freed-Hardeman, became great friends and started dating before they graduated in 1981. Dating turned to engagement and then to marriage; all the while, Jeff and Laura leaned on each other and their faith.

Their marriage would bring them two children and take them to North Alabama, where Jeff preached on Faulkner University's campus for three and a half years and then another decade of preaching. Then they were off to Oklahoma City for another decade of preaching and finally a 15-year stint at Lewisville Church of Christ in Lewisville, Texas. Through all these moves, Jeff and Laura leaned on each other and their faith.

The difficulty of moving and preaching was minimal, however, when compared to Laura's battle with cancer, a recurring fight that lasted many years, until ultimately she received the wonderful call to her forever home June 20, 2019. Through this roller coaster of a fight, Jeff and Laura always leaned on each other and their faith.

Larua and Jeff JenkinsJeff believes others such as he and Laura are still at Freed-Hardeman today—young men and women looking for God's call on their life and willing to partner in family-building and ministry together. Because of this belief and to honor his beloved Laura, Jeff has established the Laura Jenkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.

This scholarship will help Freed-Hardeman students who intend to become preachers. "I'm a preacher, my father was a preacher, my grandfather was an elder and a preacher, and my wife's father and grandfather were preachers," Jeff said. "I want her to be remembered through this scholarship for her love for the Lord, Freed-Hardeman University, and for preachers," he said.

Jeff's experience setting up this scholarship has been an encouragement to him—leading him to push others to follow his lead. "Try to do it. Go through with it," he said. "The people in the advancement office are very helpful, and they will help you along the way."

Freed-Hardeman is where Jeff and Laura met and fell in love. It is only fitting that future Freed-Hardeman University students will get to hear their story and learn about Laura through this important scholarship. Those interested in honoring a loved one and helping provide future support to FHU students are encouraged to contact Kyle Lamb, CFP® at klamb@fhu.edu or 1-800-348-3481, ext. 6020.

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Freed-Hardeman University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Freed-Hardeman University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 158 E. Main Street, Henderson, TN 38340, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to FHU or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to FHU as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to FHU as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and FHU where you agree to make a gift to FHU and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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