Lenoir, NC- Dr. Willard Lee Jenkins, age 90, of Lenoir, died Wednesday, January 27, 2010, in Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care. Born November 2, 1919 in Wilkes County, he was a son of the late James Arthur and Carrie Louisa Bumgarner Jenkins and the husband of Verna Honeycutt Jenkins, of Lenoir, to whom he was married for 69 years.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Edith Verna Jenkins and Emma Valeria Jenkins and three brothers, Melvin Arnold Jenkins, William Presley Jenkins and John Henry Jenkins.
Dr. Jenkins was the first News-Topic carrier in Lenoir. He was a member of College Avenue Baptist Church and became a deacon there at the age of 18. He served as a Baptist pastor in North Carolina, West Virginia and Ohio until his retirement in 1985. He continued to serve in interim positions until failing health would not allow. Christian missions were very important to him and his wife.
Dr. Jenkins was especially gifted in church education and administration. His skills involved church blueprint drawing for expanding church facilities.
Surviving other than his wife are two sons, James Alan Jenkins of Hudson; David Morgan Jenkins and wife Donna of Hudson; grandchildren, Deanna Lynn Nichols, serving as a missionary in Manila, Philippines; Kimberly Ann Craig of Everett, WA; Michael David Jenkins, student at Appalachian State University and 5 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service for Dr. Jenkins will be conducted 3:00 PM Sunday, January 31, 2010 in the chapel of Evans Funeral Service with Dr. Earl Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 PM, one hour prior to the service at Evans Funeral Service & Crematory.
Pallbearers will be: Howard Jenkins, Bob Suddreth, Curtis Moore, Tim Barlow, Marion Hall and David Jetton.
The family respectfully request memorials be made to College Avenue Baptist Church, 1201 College Avenue, SW, Lenoir, NC 28645.
Online condolences may be sent to the Jenkins Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com
Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Jenkins Family.
