EARNEST JENKINS
Earnest Jenkins, 86, widower of Lula Mae M. Jenkins, departed this life on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, at his residence.
Earnest Jenkins was born on June 23, 1935, in Sumter, to the late Walter and Anna Jenkins Scrivans. He was raised by his grandparents, the late Rev. Linny and Alice Jenkins. He was educated in the Sumter public school system. Earnest met and married the love of his life, the late Lula Mae Mahoney Jenkins, and their union was blessed with six daughters and two sons.
Knowing that life's journey would be tedious, he made the decision at a young age to walk with Jesus. Through his trails and tribulations, while the storms of life would rage, he knew he needed Jesus to walk with him. And even as a child, he understood that in his troubles, Jesus would hold him and let him know everything was alright. Therefore, he accepted Christ as his Savior and joined Joshua Missionary Baptist Church. Earnest retired from Cooper Industries, where he was employed for more than 30 years.
Earnest leaves behind so many that cherished his memories and are grateful to have shared his life: six daughters, Mary Alice (James) Barno, Ernestine (Robert) Hunter, Barbara (Michael) Abrams, Lula J. (Harold) Dawson and Fannie (Melvin) McLeod, all of Sumter, and Mary Ann Jenkins of Alexandria, Virginia; a brother-in-law, James (Katie) Mahoney of Sumter; three sisters-in-law, Johnnie Mae Mahoney of Sumter and Esther (Billy) Rogers of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Lucille Mahoney of Washington, D.C.; nine grandchildren, DeWayne Hunter, Rodney (Courtney) Hunter, Marcus Abrams, Maurice (Tyranika) Abrams, Matthew (Kimberly) Amos, Tamisha Dawson, Bruce (Danielle) Dawson, Myeisha McLeod and Melvin T. Mcleod; three great-grandchildren, Deshawn Gantt, Ryhan and Raiya Abrams; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Robert Samuel Jenkins and Joseph Franklin McLeod; three sisters, Gloria Richardson, Marie Scrivans and Marie Dorsey; and one brother, Robert Scrivans.
Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Job's Mortuary.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, SC 29150 with the Rev. Eugene Dennis, eulogist, and the Rev. Williams Jefferson officiating. Interment will follow at Joshua Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of his daughter, 4555 Cotton Acres Road, Sumter, SC 29153.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuaryinc@gmail.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.