James W. "Jim" Jenkins, Jr., 78, of Florence, was swept away by his Heavenly Father on Saturday, October 1, 2011. Family and friends were by his side.
Visitation will begin Wednesday at 1:00 at Elkins Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow in the chapel at 3:00 p.m. with Bro. Matt Fowler officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
Jim retired from Ford Motor Company in 1984 and worked at Lowe''s in Florence 6 years before permanently retiring. He was a member of Weeden Heights Baptist Church and had served as past leader of Men''s Missions. He was a graduate of Colbert County High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
His love was unconditional for his family. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Gloria Thornton Jenkins; sons J. Terry Jenkins and wife Melody of New Johnsonville, TN, J.W. Jenkins of Escondido, CA; daughters Dian Hargett and husband Neal of Belgreen, AL, Tracey Angel and husband Delane of Florence; grandchildren Scott Jenkins, Amy Grice, Jake Hargett, Stephen Angel, Mark Angel and Kayln Angel; step grandchildren Jamey Hargett, Jeremy Hargett, Justin Snyder and Nathan Snyder; great grandchildren Addie Grace Grice, Taylor Jenkins; step great grandchildren Holly Hargett, Guner Hargett, Alexis and Paxton Wray and another on the way. Jim will be missed by his companions Baby, Sugar, Bo and Begee.
He was preceded in death by his father James Walter Jenkins, Sr.; mother Edna Louise Cross; step-father Haggard Cross and grandfather S.S. Burns, all of Florence.
Pallbearers will be Scott and Taylor Jenkins, Nathan and Justin Snyder, Jake and Jeremy Hargett, Neal Hargett, Everette Chandler and Sam Wrather. Honorary bearers will be Dennis Chandler, Dale Cooper, Ronnie Young, Jeff Creekmore, Ralph Killen and Carlton Kilpatrick.
A special thanks to his physicians Dr. Robert Mann, Dr. William Heaton, Dr. Robert Bailey, Dr. Edsel Holden and Dr. Danny Martin. Also to Hospice of Tennessee Valley. They were very special to us. And last but not least, thanks to his sitters Gail Keener, Jeanette Jackson, Cassie Mason and Doris Wise. We will always be grateful to you.