Tommy J. Jenkins

Jacksonville

Born May 20, 1932 to Thomas Oscar and Admer Ellison Jenkins in Cosby, TN, Tommy Jenkins, 82, died peacefully in the presence of his loving family in the Intensive Care Unit of St. Vincent’s Medical Center on Monday, June 23, 2014.

Tommy served his country in the United States Air Force for three years during the Korean Conflict, after which time he returned to his home in Greenville, SC and began his career in bakery maintenance with Claussen’s Bakery. Leaving Claussen’s after 10 years, Tommy was employed by Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. as the maintenance supervisor of their Greenville plant.

Quickly becoming a highly valued WD employee, in September 1971 Tommy moved his young family to Jacksonville, FL to serve as the coordinator of bakery machinery maintenance in WD’s plants in Greenville, SC and Jacksonville and Miami, FL. In 1982, Tommy was forced into early retirement because of ill health.

In 1973, Tommy became a member of Murray Hill United Methodist Church and the Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class. Tommy served the church in many capacities, but loved most, and was most loved, as a faithful usher in the House of the Lord.

Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Thomas Oscar and Admer Ellison Jenkins, his sisters Beatrice Carson, Thelma Cartee, Helen Norris and Mamie Galloway. He is survived by his loving wife Estelle Tinsley Jenkins; four children: Tony (Shirley), Russ (Diane), Kimberly Jenkins Coffman (Bruce Mastay) and Scott (Janette); 12 grandchildren: Adrienne Caramagna (Matthew), Amanda Liggins (Christopher) and Alicia Newman (Stephen); Nicole Norris (Bruce), Erin Mitchell (Ryan), Kalee Jenkins, Elysse Rathbone (Zach) and Brianna Jenkins; Michael and Alex Coffman; Kyle Thomas Jenkins and Krysten Jenkins (Steve Pierce); and Adam and Peggy Hellenthal. His great-grandchildren are Myka Jenkins and Matteo Caramagna; Eirelyss Liggins; Karson and Kason Mitchell; and Faith and Aliyah Jenkins.

A service of worship celebrating the life of Tommy will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 3:00 p.m. at the Murray Hill United Methodist Church, 4101 College Street (at Edgewood). Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2014 at the Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 729 South Edgewood Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32205. Graveside services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2014 at the Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Tommy to the Wounded Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate); Murray Hill United Methodist’s Developmental Learning Center; Kester Kitchen Feeding Ministry; or to a donation of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL.