Deacon Alvester Jenkins Sr.

Deacon Alvester Jenkins Sr., 82, of Decatur, GA passed on Sunday January 24, 2021. Alvester Jenkins Sr. was born July 24, 1938, in Abbeville, South Carolina, to Isaac Jenkins and Elzener Enwright Jenkins. He attended the public school system in Abbeville County, SC, and graduated from Josephine Spearman High School in 1959. He departed this life on Sunday, January 24, 2021, after a long illness. He enjoyed baseball and was a basketball player at J.S. High School. He loved driving, baking sweet potato pies, working in his yard, dancing, singing, and traveling. After graduating from High School, he moved to New York City to live with his sister, the late Vivian Meadows Jenkins. While living in New York City, he met his life’s mate Tommie Jenkins. They fell in love and married. With this union, two children were born; Alvester Jenkins, Jr. and Minister Edress M. Jenkins. They enjoyed 57 years of married life. Alvester was an upright, authoritative, and outspoken leader. He was loyal and a high performer in all positions he held. Those who knew him knew he didn’t bite his tongue. He worked at the New York City Transit Authority for over twenty-five years as a Railroad Stockhandler. He served as Chairman of the Transport Workers Union. Alvester was passionate about fair treatment, wages, and benefits for employees. He retired in June of 1993 and began a new phase in life, joining Laidlaw School Bus Company. He was one of their most valued bus drivers. On any given day, you would find him transporting children all over Bergen County, New Jersey. Deacon Jenkins was a man of great faith who was rooted and grounded in his love to serve God and man. That journey began at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where he grew up, which continued throughout his life. He served as a Sunday School teacher from ninth grade until his senior year of high school. When he moved to New York City, he continued his Christian journey and joined the Mount Moriah Baptist Church under the late John S. Givens. He soon went to work; he served on the Young Adult Usher Board and later joined the Community Choir. He was elected as a Trustee serving two different chairpersons. The late Rev. Dr. Edward Earl Johnson Sr. watched his Christian walk. He saw the joy he had in serving the Lord and ordained him a Deacon. His leadership extended beyond the church walls; he established alliances with businesses that provided the church with resources. If you asked Deacon Jenkins how he was doing, his response would be, “Great and Marvelous! or If I can help somebody as I pass along.” This phrase represented how he lived. He was grateful to God for fulfilling his promises in his life. His favorite songs are the Holy City, and as he often quoted, If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong, Then my living shall not be in vain. In the winter of 2005, he and his wife retired and relocated to Decatur, GA. They joined and faithfully attended Greenforest Community Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. George O. McCalep, Jr. He ministered in both the Celestial and Brotherhood choirs. Deacon Jenkins was also in the Coming of Age Fulfillment Hour Class. Alvester adored his family and friends. He was the founder and organizer of the first Jenkins and Bell Family Reunion. He loved to take photos and displayed them in the home office. There are decorative frames on the walls, desktops, and shelves with people from the past, present, graduations, weddings, and family reunions. He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved and faithful wife, Tommie L. Jenkins, daughter, Minister Edress M.Jenkins, Son Alvester Jenkins Jr. preceded him in death, Decatur GA, two brothers, Thomas Jenkins, Charlotte, NC, James Jenkins (Elizabeth) Edgefield SC, grandsons Shondale and Tyrell Grady, Passaic, NJ, three sister in-laws Jackie Locke Morris, Janice Locke White, two brother in-laws Carver Locke, (Casaundra Locke), Somerset, NJ, Reginald Diamond, Atlanta, GA, one goddaughter Lynette Butler, St. Pauls, MN, daughter of close friend Ruth Porter Butler, Middletown, NY and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Siblings preceded in death are sister Vivian Jenkins Meadows and brothers Andrew, Isaac Jr, Nathaniel, and Theodore Jenkins. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday February 6, 1PM in our chapel. Visitation will be on Friday February 5, from 4-6PM. Interment Hillandale Memorial Gardens Lithonia, GA. Please express your condolences here on our website. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway Decatur, GA 30034. (404) 241-5656.

Tributes

Deacon Alvester Jenkins Sr.

July 24, 1938 - January 24, 2021