Robert Jenkins, Jr.

Obituary For Robert Jenkins, Jr.

“ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, no crying, neither shall there be no more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Robert’s Journey of Life

Robert Jenkins, Jr. moved to his heavenly home on February 15, 2025. He was 82 years old, having been born in Screven County, Georgia to Robert Jenkins, Sr., and Blanche Thomas Jenkins. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sibling (Melvin Jenkins).

Robert was educated in Screven County and graduated from Central High School, in 1961.

Early on, Robert quickly grew into manhood and became a responsible adult working various jobs. His unwavering work ethic eventually led him to Chicago, Illinois with his family and first marriage with the mother of their children, Ms. Marieta Murray, where he fathered four children, 3 sons and 1 daughter. They are Kenneth Jenkins (Vanessa), Kevin Jenkins (Patricia), Mertice Hall (Herbert), and Vinson Jenkins (Yolonda). Robert was a hardworking man who gained employment, respectfully, at the Ford Motor Company and the General Electric Company. He later began working with CSX Railroad, a company that required him to travel extensively along the Eastern Seaboard. He moved back to the Georgia, South Carolina areas and eventually retired from CSX Railroad.

Robert would then settle in the Allendale, South Carolina area. It was here where he met Ms. Essie Mae McKnight. The two wed on January 17, 1981. They lived a modest, quiet, and peaceful life, and remained married for 44 years until he departed from this earth. He was an extraordinary cook who knew his way around the kitchen; always ready to whip up a meal whenever his children or other family visited him. He was a wonderful helpmate for his beloved “Mae.”

Being raised in a Christian upbringing under the watchful tutelage and spiritual guidance of his late grandfather, the Reverend A.L Thomas, as well as his mother, Evangelist Blanche Thomas Jenkins, Robert, affectionately known as “Bubba” to his close family and friends, knew the Lord, loved the Lord; and accepted Christ as his savior. As a younger man, he would often display this adoration by singing with a gospel group of quartet singers. Even during his idle time, he could be heard as he sat around singing old gospel tunes leisurely as time allowed. Robert became a member of the Greater Bethel AME Church in Fairfax, SC where he attended Sunday School regularly and served as a trustee until his health began to decline.

“Bubba”, most times a quiet man, enjoyed being around his family. He would often speak fondly of the times well spent in Chicago hanging with his main man and favorite Uncle Alfred “Bunny” Thomas, and he always reminisced of being joked about and called “fathead” by his late Uncle Nathaniel Thomas. And although always miles apart, he remained aware and loved the fact that one of his oldest living aunts, Mrs. Westlena Black, was always including him in her daily prayers. Simply put, Bubba laughed, Bubba lived, Bubba loved, and Bubba was loved.

Robert not only leaves behind his devoted wife and his aforementioned four children, but he also leaves behind a son, Lucane (Carrie) Jenkins of Norristown, Pennsylvania, 9 grandchildren, Kevin Christopher Jenkins, Patrick Ormond Jenkins (Destiny), Ronni Marshai Jenkins, Tyrek Emmanuel Strange, Caleb Emmanuel Jenkins, Herbert David Hall, Makenly Brianna Hall, Elyse Rachael Hall, and Ahman Elijah Howard; 1 great-granddaughter, Cherish Jenkins; 4 remaining devoted and loving siblings, his older sister Daisy Lee Phillips (Baltimore, Maryland), Calvin Jenkins (Seattle, Washington), Honorable Mayor Samuel (Faye) Jenkins, Ideal, Georgia, and devoted sister Theresa (Willie) Wright of Eden, Georgia; special niece Tuzet Jenkins of Columbia, South Carolina. A brother-in-law, James (Pamela) McKnight (Summerville, South Carolina), a loyal first cousin George (Sonya) Dukes of Barnwell, SC; a favorite niece, Josette McKnight of Allendale, South Carolina. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts, other relatives, and friends loved “Bubba” and will cherish many memories of him.

“A SERVICE ABOVE SELF”

Please remember to keep the Jenkins family lifted in prayer.

You may email condolences to: mfrileysfuneralhome@yahoo.com

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Services

Visitation

Feb

21

M.F. Riley's Memorial Chapel, Fairfax, SC

1214 S. Hampton Ave.
Fairfax, SC 29827

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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Funeral Service

Feb

22

Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church,

1198 Charleston Ave.
Fairfax, SC 29827

11:00 AM

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