William Franklin "Frank" Jenkins, Sr.

William Franklin “Frank” Jenkins, Sr., age 94, departed this life September 6, 2014 here in Birmingham, Alabama and entered his heavenly home welcomed by his Savior and Lord Jesus along with the great cloud of witnesses (as mentioned in Hebrews 12:1) who have gone on before him. Frank was born at Bangor (Blount Co.), Alabama, February 11, 1920 and lived there while attending Garden City (Cullman Co.) primary schools and Hanceville (Cullman Co.) High School and graduating in 1939. He then left home to attend and graduate in 1943 from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in Auburn, Alabama with a bachelors and masters degree from the School of Agriculture. Following graduation, Frank served during World War II as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and was assigned to the 7th Armored Division which fought in Europe. Following the war, he obtained his PhD Doctoral Degree in Horticulture from the University of Maryland. Frank met his first wife, Carolyn McCrary of Centreville (Bibb Co.), Alabama after returning home from the war and while working on his master’s degree. They married in Antioch (Bibb Co.), Alabama on July 11, 1949 as Frank was finishing his doctoral degree. She preceded him in death February 17, 1987 in Commerce, Texas where Dr. Jenkins had retired from teaching as a professor in the School of Agriculture at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce). Prior to ETSU, he taught and did research at Mississippi State University in Newton and Starkville, Mississippi before moving to Texas in 1957. Frank’s parents, Samuel Collier Jenkins and Lula Mae Collum Jenkins of Bangor, his two sisters Dorothy Jenkins Brown of Decatur, Alabama and Evelyn Jenkins Christie of Albuquerque, New Mexico, his brother Felix Jenkins of Gardendale, Alabama, and also a grand daughter Sarah LeAnn Jenkins of Dallas precede him in death. Awhile after Carolyn Jenkins’ home-going, Frank Jenkins met Elizabeth Thomas Morton, the widow of Bruce Morton of Pleasant Grove, Alabama at a Hanceville High School Reunion and married September 3, 1988. They have enjoyed 26 wonderful years of marriage while traveling abroad and living in Commerce, Texas and Cullman, Alabama and the past eight years at Brookdale Place University Park, a retirement center here in Birmingham. Frank was a kind Southern gentleman who loved his Lord, his wife and their families very much. He was a teacher not only in a university setting, but was an excellent Sunday School teacher most all his life. He was a deacon and served his Lord and church for as long as he was able. Most recently, he was a member at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood, Alabama. Frank leaves a legacy for his children and grandchildren as well as those he has taught over the past several decades. Those left to cherish the memories of Frank Jenkins include his wife, Elizabeth Morton Jenkins of Birmingham. His four children and their spouses include: William Frank (Bill) Jenkins, Jr. (Yvonne) of Birmingham, Susan Jenkins Heath (Fred) of Hurst, Texas, Lee Walker Jenkins (Frances) of Dallas Texas, and Lu Jenkins Marshall (Jeff) of Hurst Texas. Also, Elizabeth’s two sons Joe Morton (Margaret) of Sylacauga, Alabama and Brad Morton of Birmingham. His grandchildren are as follows: Paige Jenkins Kopecky (Michael) of Hampton Cove, Alabama, William Brent Jenkins (Marianne) of Homewood, Alabama, Matthew Alan Jenkins (Kasey) of Mountain Brook, Alabama, Heather Heath Knaub of Hurst Texas, Hannah Heath of Tyler, Texas, Krista Jenkins Herrick (Jeff) of Superior, Colorado, Amanda Jenkins Leger (Jason) of Crosby, Texas, Matthew Moseley of Fort Worth, Texas, and Lauren Moseley of Krakow, Poland. Frank leaves behind 8 great grandchildren. The family appreciates the exceptional care that Frank received from Dr. Paul D. Roller, MD and his Associates with SeniorCare Geriatric Healthcare Services, Brookdale Place University Park, Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Hanover Health and Rehabilitation, and Comfort Care Hospice. A family memorial will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10th in the Edgewood Parlor of Ridout’s Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama 35209. A family graveside service will be held at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce, Texas on Monday, September 15th at 10:00 a.m. with a visitation following the service from 11:00 a.m. until 12 noon at Commerce Funeral Home, 1505 Washington Street, Commerce, Texas 75428. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorials made in honor of William Franklin Jenkins, Sr., be made to Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, 1114 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama 35209 or to the charity of your choice.

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