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Deacon Robert Jenkins, Tennille, Georgia departed this life on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Navicent Health Macon, Georgia.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 11:00 AM from the New Birth Christian Ministries, Tennille, Georgia. The body will lie in state from 9:00 AM until the hour of the service. Interment followed in the Harrison Cemetery, Harrison, Georgia. A family visitation was held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 6:00PM -7:00 PM from the New Birth Christian Ministries. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Harrison Springs Baptist Church Youth Department.
Deacon Robert Lee Jenkins, born March 6, 1952 to the late Deacon J.B. Jenkins and the late Mother Lucy Mae Jenkins, traded life for eternity on Thursday, March 12, 2020 in Macon, Georgia surrounded by his family.
Deacon Jenkins was reared in Tennille, Georgia by his parents where he developed his love for family and devotion to hard work. Life wasn’t easy for him as a youngster. It was during that time that he met and learned to communicate with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He often reminded his family and especially his children that whatever he asked the Lord for according to His will the Lord always made good on his promises. He loved to reminisce and recall of the Lord’s Goodness, and when and wherever his spiritual cup ran over, he was sure to speak from his glad soul.
Deacon Jenkins was educated in the public schools of Washington County. He graduated in 1970, the last segregated class of Thomas Jefferson Elder High School, Sandersville. He loved and excelled for many years in baseball both during high school and after. He and his brothers were “awesome” as he always said. They traveled and played for many years with many teams all over Georgia winning countless championships. He was an entrepreneur in spirit and ready to work with his hands. After high school he immediately began working for himself and on various jobs settling for more than thirty years with Lapp Insulators, and retiring from the Georgia Department of Transportation after an additional eleven years of service.
Early in life he attended Sunday School and morning worship at Beech Grove AME Church, Tennille in the community in which they lived. Officially he united with the Harrison Springs Baptist Church, Harrison where he has worshiped all of his life. He served and countless capacities from his times in the Junior Church during his youth until adulthood. Ultimately he served until his death as a deacon. Jenkins had a very unique style of evangelizing. He wanted everyone from every walk of life to feel valued and to approach ministry holistically.
He was committed and called to serve his fellowman. Deacon Jenkins shared his many talents and skills with the community in politics, carpentry, masonry, and landscaping completing many projects. He was a former councilman and Mayor Protem for the City of Harrison serving as the youngest councilman in the state during his tenure. One of his greatest passions for many years was serving as a 32 Degree Mason apart of the Elisha Lodge No. 194 as Past Master and former Commander-in-Chief of Swainsboro Consistory No. 317. Most recently Deacon Jenkins served as a Trustee and a part of the Brotherhood of the Second Washington Baptist Association. He loved the Association and it’s members and had many dreams of its successes.
He enjoyed life to the fullest and entertaining others. Even in his social life he served the Lord, singing praises unto his savior with the quartet group Spiritual New Faith. He attended many gospel concerts, dance recitals with his grand kids, recreation games and even coached his kids and grand kids in several sports. He loved to brag about once obtaining a losing little league football team mid season and led them on to become champions. He was very competitive, especially with family games. Mediocrity was never an option. He wanted everyone to look, feel, and to expect only the best.
In 1990, he met, fell in love and married Valerie Salter. For 30 years they were happy as they reared their blended family. He was a great husband, friend and soulmate. He was a great dad and he encouraged his children to always strive for greatness. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were his greatest joy. Robert was indeed a Proud Family Man.
He was preceded in death by three brothers; Farris, Forrest, and Tommie.
He will be cherished in memory by his devoted wife of thirty years Valerie S. Jenkins, Tennille, GA; children: Julian (Nicole) Jackson, Albany, GA, Angel Jenkins, Macon, GA, Terria Salter, Conyers, GA, Andra Jenkins, Milledgeville, GA, Crystal (Jonathan) Hatcher, Macon, GA, Jimmy Eason, Conyers, GA, Zachary (Kia) Dudley, Warner Robbins, GA; three sisters: Betty (Wade) Williams, Harrison, GA, Lena Jenkins, and Linda Bell, Sandersville, GA; one brother: Richard (Min. Audrey) Jenkins, Harrison, GA; his mother-in-law: Mrs. Vernell Salter, Sandersville, GA; one brother-in-law: Gerald Salter, Sandersville, GA; four sisters-in-law: Charlene Sumerlin, Dublin, GA, Wonda Swint, Bernestine Salter, both of Sandersville, GA, Theola Jenkins, Wrightsville, GA; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
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