Elijah Jenkins, Sr.'s Obituary
Elijah Jenkins, Sr., was born August 26, 1953, to Ruby Dell Jenkins and Robert Harris of Emmet, Arkansas, both who preceded him in death. As a child he was reared by his late grandmother Eliza Jenkins. Ruby later married William “Sonny” Sherrell, who also reared Elijah and preceded him in death.
Elijah attended and graduated from Werger High School in 1971, where he was a stand-out basketball player and Valedictorian of his class. After graduation he married his first wife, Ann Palmer, and moved to Jackson, Michigan in 1972. To that union one child was born, Tina Jenkins. Elijah and Ann later divorced and he met and married Lois Powell. To that union three children were born, Yolanda, Davina, and Elijah Jr. Jenkins. Elijah fathered six other children, Takeya White, Anthony, Jalesa, Adrian, Eric, and Elissa Jenkins.
Elijah served in the United States Air Force from 1976-1980. He achieved the rank of Sargent and held the position of Administrative Specialist. He was stationed in Alaska and lived in Plattsburgh, New York with his wife Lois during his time of service. Elijah held several positions in Jackson, but by far, he loved working as the Administrative Assistant for Community Action Agency-Lincoln Head start.
Elijah was known to many of us as, “Dad, Daddy, Papa, Grandad, My friend, My buddy, and a good guy. He loved to spend time with his family and barbequing during any season- rain, sleet, or snow. The meat was always tasty, no matter the season. While living in Arkansas, he attended Shady Grove AME Methodist Church and was Superintendent of Sunday School. Elijah did not officially unite with a church while living in Jackson. However, he visited churches with his children, including Second Baptist and Lily Missionary Baptist Church.
As mentioned earlier, Elijah was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather; grandmother; Eliza Jenkins, bonus brother and sister, cousins; Wayne Jamieson and Lynn Smith, uncle John Reed of Wichita, Kansas, and Son-in-Love; Rodney Reynolds.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife; Lois Jenkins, six daughters; Tina Jenkins of Hope, Arkansas, Yolanda Jenkins of Jacksonville, Florida, Davina (Tim) Williams of Jackson, Michigan, Takeya Reynolds of Jackson, Michigan, Jalesa Jenkins of Jackson, Michigan, and Elisa Jenkins of Parma, Michigan, four sons; Elijah Jenkins, Jr. of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Elijah (Jessica) Jenkins of Jackson, Michigan, Adrian Jenkins of Jackson, Michigan and Eric Jenkins of Parma, Michigan, two sisters; Robbie Michelle (Jarold) Baird and Naomi Maria (Kim) Kelley of Wichita, Kansas, one brother; Donnie Harris of California, and bonus brother and sister, cousins; Pat Andrew of Chicago, Illinois and Rick (Diane) Jamieson, 26 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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