Julia Carolyn Beeman

Julia Carolyn Beeman died on July 28, 2025 in Gastonia, North Carolina.

She was born in 1934 in Columbus Georgia.

She earned her BA in French at Agnes Scott College in 1955, her MA in biochemistry at Emory University in 1959, and her Doctorate in counseling at the University of Georgia in 1982.

She married Hubert Turner Jenkins, Jr. in 1959. Their son Julian Herbert (Jay) was born in 1960 and their daughter Jennifer Lee, in 1963.

Julia‘s early education led her to the fields of medical research and public health. She was employed at Emory University medical school, the Center for Disease Control, and the State of Georgia Department of Human Resources, all in Atlanta, Georgia.

During this time she co-sponsored the founding of the Gwinnett County League of Women Voters and continued to work with the league on its mission.

However, her true calling was in the art world. Classes attended at Georgia State University in the fine arts fulfilled in part her need for creative expression. Following retirement from active employment, she began specific engagement with her art while exploring various media, watercolor, book repair, and wood turning - her primary focus was in photography, finding opportunities to learn and practice at the John C Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina And Institute for continuing learning at Young Harris College nearby also offered related classes and the college art department held a private exhibit of her photos.

Julia is survived by her two children, Julian Herbert Jenkins and Jennifer, Lee Mocanu and her five grandchildren Alexander Scott Wiley, Jacob Gregory Mocanu, Robert Sage Jenkins, Melanie Lee Mocanu, and Julian Sawyer Jenkins.

Services will be private.

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com