Lonnie W Jenkins

Lonnie Will Jenkins, Jr. was blessed with a charismatic and magnetic personality. With a warm smile and loving heart he easily made friends and was a friend you would love to have. Born June 6, 1951 in Gary, Indiana, Lonnie was the first child born to the union of Lonnie and Ethel Farley Jenkins. He was welcomed into the family by his three older brothers. The family would later expand to seven children with the addition of another son and two daughters. This unit of seven were raised to love the Lord and each other.

Lonnie was baptized at Christian Valley Missionary Baptist Church at an early age where he participated in the Youth Choir. Realizing that singing was not his first calling, he turned his efforts toward sports. His athletic talents were honed in the childhood games he enjoyed with his brothers who constantly challenged him to develop his skills. Whether playing stick-ball, “Hide and Go Seek” or the Gary version of “Cricket” (inclusive of empty pop cans), he developed a healthy competitive streak that would serve him well in school and life.

Lonnie was also infused with a healthy work ethic by his dad who worked in the steel mills and ran Jenkins & Sons Construction throughout the family’s formative years. Lonnie was encouraged to enjoy sports but he was also expected to wield a hammer, a skill he resumed later in life. Just as he was influenced by his older brothers, Lonnie also served as a guiding force for his younger siblings assuming the role of protector and mentor.

Lonnie grew up in the Gary Public School System, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1969. He was a stand-out athlete at Roosevelt and was a member of the golf and basketball teams. Lonnie was the quintessential point guard and led his team to victory with buzzer-beating jumpers that are still fondly remembered. Lonnie received a letterman’s jacket for his efforts and #23’s basketball prowess was held in high esteem throughout northwest Indiana.

After graduation Lonnie accepted a scholarship to attend Vincennes Junior College where he enhanced his reputation as a star athlete. Lonnie’s first daughter, Gina, was born during his first marriage. Understanding the need to provide for his family, Lonnie left school and joined the Air Force. While stationed in Las Vegas, the call of family lured him back home when his father suddenly passed. Shortly after his death, Lonnie was divorced. He worked in various positions in the Gary/Chicago area but eventually relocated to Atlanta where he was excited to make his new home.

On October 21, 1979 Lonnie was united in marriage to Marie Allen Carr. From this union a daughter, Robin “Tweet”, was born. Lonnie opened his loving heart to parent two additional children, Bernard and Shun from an early age.

He worked as a draftsman for DeKalb County Parks Recreation and as truck driver for several trucking companies, retiring from Roadway. Lonnie worked for Georgia Regional Hospital in the Safety Office and Operations Department, officially retiring in 2011.

Lonnie was an avid golfer and remained passionate about basketball. He loved board games, cards, dominos and chess.

He became a member of Love Life Christian Fellowship Church after attending Flat Shoals United Methodist Church under the auspices of Pastor Grace C. Washington.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his loving parents, Lonnie Will Jenkins, Sr. and Ethel Jenkins Hill, stepdad, William Hill; sister Rosie Jenkins Standifer; four brothers, Judge Charles Graddick, Dr. William Graddick, Judge Graddick and Myron Jenkins; and son, Quentin Jenkins.

He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife, Marie Jenkins; sister, Teresa Jenkins Utley (Tim); son, Anson Bernard Carr (Nikki); daughters, Judge Gina Jones (Daryl), Laura S Carr, and Robin Lonnese Bankston (David); mother in law Laura Allen; brother in law, Winston Allen; sister in laws: Rosetta Graddick, Lancy Shakir Graddick, Alicia Jenkins, and Betty Allen; fourteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren, four uncles, one aunt; stepsisters, Janice, Yvonne and Janet, and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and a life-long blessing of devoted friends.

Lonnie laughed easily and felt deeply. He loved his family and was happiest when surrounded by family and friends enjoying the easy camaraderie of shared experiences.