Tom Jenkins

Tom Jenkins, 93, passed away March 30, 2014. He was born in Sevierville, TN, to the late Perry Jenkins and Nancy Halo Jenkins. He served in the US Army during WWII. Tom is survived by a son, Wayne Jenkins, and his wife, Geraldine of Taylors, SC; a daughter, Debbie Reed and her husband, Wayne, of Greer, SC; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; one brother , Earnest Jenkins, of Knoxville, TN. He was predeceased by his loving wife Ada Shepherd Jenkins. How do I begin to sum up a man’s life with just a few words? To those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Grandpa (Tom), I pray that by reading this you will cross a word that will trigger delightful memories of times spent together. To those of you that spent limited time with him or only crossed paths few times, I pray that this serves as inspiration.

Grandpa enjoyed many things. He enjoyed watching baseball on television, feeding the birds, and planting his flowers. He loved going to church and spending time with family. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were so important to him. He was the caregiver, the strong and independent man, always looking out for each of us and never dependent upon anyone.

Grandpa loved telling stories, and I loved listening. He always remembered so many details, down to the date and the clothes people were wearing. He loved telling stories about his family. He spoke of instances all the way back to his childhood and to present day. Grandpa touched me with his stories, how he never forgot those that passed before him. The love of his life, Ada, was often the topic of discussion. He was so proud of her and missed her so much. He looked forward to the day that he would see her again.

Grandpa loved the Lord. He looked forward to going to church and hearing the choir sing. He took pride in his church and talked so often of the building fund and how he wanted to help. When Grandpa was not telling stories of his past, he was singing hymns of praise. In the last months of his life, he sang of seeing the Lord and “oh what a glorious day that will be.”

While the pain of losing him is almost too great to bear, I try to think of the stories he told and the songs he sang, and realize that Grandpa is exactly where he wanted to be. He talked and sang of Heaven in anticipation of his arrival as a child waiting for Christmas morning. He was ready and he was happy.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 1 Pine Knoll Dr., Greenville, SC 29609 at 10:00 with Funeral service at 11:00 am and burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. John Baptist Church Building Fund P.O. Box 2353 Greer, SC 29652

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Greenville, SC.