Jane Engleberg

Obituary For Jane Engleberg

Jane “Hurley Bea” Porterfield-Engleberg was born on August 28, 1934, in Memphis, TN, to the late Hurley Porterfield and Willie “Bea” Amelia Dowell-Porterfield. Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence K. Engleberg; eldest daughter, Mary Jacqueline Jones; and brother, A.D. Porterfield.

Jane was educated in the Memphis City School system at Grant Elementary and Manassas High School.

Her relationship with Christ began at an early age while attending Pilgrim Baptist Church, when, at the time, was located on 2nd Avenue under the tutelage of Dr. W.T. Brewster, Sr., and now on Whitney Avenue, under Pastor Lawrence E. Matthews.

Jane, for many years had been an active member of multiple choirs at Pilgrim and in Memphis. She was also known for her solo performances on Sunday evenings, at the East Trigg Baptist Church radio program in south Memphis.

During the period of the Civil Rights Movement and activism in Memphis, Tennessee, Jane was continually sought out by the local Democratic party, to help organize local voting processes in the seventies and early eighties.

As an activist, she was present at the great “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, at Mason Temple, the night before his death.

Her zeal for life and justice was always recognized and it was contagious to all she encountered. She was a caring and concerned champion of those in need of help, as exemplified by her years of work with city and county support programs for the disadvantaged, such as her former employer, Community Services Agency. She never shied away from her responsibilities or endeavors as evident as a previously presiding PTA president or hosting numerous honorary events.

Jane peacefully transitioned on January 18, 2024, at 10:45 am, with daughter, Maria, and son, Gregory, present.

Jane leaves to cherish her memory: seven children, Gregory Engleberg, Anthony Engleberg, Michael Engleberg, Derrick Engleberg Sr., Alan Engleberg, Maria Engleberg-Devould, and Stanley Engleberg; one sister, Doris Ragland; one niece, Danise Brown; one devoted cousin, Pamela Wofford of Toledo, Ohio; ten grandchildren, Tajuana Jones, LaKenya Engleberg, Samuel Jones, Jr., Derrick Engleberg, Jr. (Nachelle), Chancellor Chatman, Antonio Engleberg (Vanessa), Chantel Devould-Henderson (Andre), Kimberly Engleberg, Jene’e Engleberg, and Evan Devould, Sr.; and a host of great-grandchildren, cousins, family, and close friends.

The family will receive friends Friday, January 26, 2024 from 6:30pm-8:00pm at RS Lewis & Sons 2944 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38111. Celebration of Life will be Saturday, January 27, 2024 12:00noon Pilgrim Baptist Church 726 Whitney Ave, Memphis, TN 38127

Internment will be Thursday, February 1, 2024 2:00pm at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125