Dr. Ted Jenkins, age 87 of Johnson City, Tenn., passed away Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 due to a brief and unexpected battle with cancer.
He was born on July 8, 1933 to Hector and Inez (Edwards) Jenkins in the Stecoah Community of Robbinsville, N.C.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of many years and mother of his children, Bernice Tackett Jenkins; his son, Jimmy Jenkins; brothers, Walt (Blanche), Garl, Hall (Eloise) and Doyle; sisters, Marie Crisp (Clyde), Clota Postell (Wayne), Edna Jenkins, Senith Campagna (Tony), Irene Durden (Paul), Betty Menard (Bob), Wayna Cox (Jack) atwo infant sisters; and brothers-in-law, Dan Green and Al Matysak.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Joyce Meredith Jenkins; two sons, Ronnie Jenkins of Jonesborough, Tenn. and Timmy Jenkins of Charlotte, N.C.; sisters, Lynda Holder (Tony) of Robbinsville, N.C. and Virginia Matysak of Tampa, Fla.; and sister-in-law, June Jenkins of Robbinsville, N.C. Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive.
He was a devoted Christian, who exemplified and loved the Lord, and wanted his life to be of His service. He was a member, deacon and faithful supporter of Central Baptist Church in Lake Worth, Fla. for many years. For the past 20 years, he was a member, deacon, Bible Study teacher and Sunday School teacher at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Buladean, N.C.
Ted served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was a graduate of Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C. He earned a Master’s Degree in Math and Science from Western Carolina University and a PhD from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was a high school principal and math teacher in Jacksonville, Fla., and taught math at high school and college level and also served as Administrator of Schools in South Florida.
He contributed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for many years and was also a faithful supporter of “Hope for the World” for over 30 years, along with several other mission endeavors. He was proud and honored to have belonged to The Gideon International with membership in Florida and Mitchell County, N.C.
The family received friends from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 at Unicoi Funeral Home. The funeral service followed, with the Rev. Bob McCurry officiating.
Ted will be laid to rest on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Hazie Brown Cemetery in the Stecoah, N.C. community, where at the coming of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ he will hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Townson-Smith Funeral Home in Robbinsville, N.C. and Unicoi Funeral Home in Unicoi, Tenn. are both honored to be serving the Jenkins family.
Online registers are available at townson-smithfuneralhome.com and ledfordfuneralhomes.com.