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Mr. Glen Jenkins was born on February 16, 1926 and died at his home on May 9, 2015. He was a native and a life-long resident of Lauderdale County. Visitation will be at Greenview Funeral Home on Sunday, May 10, from 5 – 8 p.m. The funeral service will be on Monday, May 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Park. Officiating will be Dr. Kenny Barfield.
Glen is survived by his children, Robert Jenkins (Martha), Florence, Glenda Pinto (Joe), Harvest, Al and Teresa Terry (Jim), Florence; 4 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Glen was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Marie Thompson Jenkins; his parents, Mary Tamsie Hines Jenkins and Edd B. Jenkins; and all of his siblings, Okalene Jenkins Nunn, Edward Q. Jenkins, O.B. Jenkins, William Jenkins and Julia Ann Jenkins.
He was a WWII veteran, serving his country as a paratrooper in the 101st airborne division of the U.S. Army.
Glen learned how to work hard at an early age, growing up in a sharecropper’s family in Lauderdale County. He used that lesson to better his life and most important to him, his family’s life. The roots for the family he raised began with meeting Marie Thompson. He liked her quite ways and would show up at Lone Cedar church to walk her home. Then, they exchanged letters while overseas. He came home in December 1946 on a long furlough and they decided to get married. They were married 6 days later. Marie’s parents had no idea they were exchanging letters or that she was contemplating marriage. After hearing the news that her only child would be married that week, Marie’s mother cried every morning at the breakfast table.
Glen was baptized when his son, Robert was 5 years old; Robert saw him in the baptistry and called out for the congregation to hear “that’s my Daddy”! That was the beginning of Glen’s long and faithful Christian journey. He was a member at Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ for over 60 years. He taught an adult Sunday school class, served as a deacon and as an elder for more than 25 years.
Glen would tell people that he decided early that he was going to do whatever it took to provide a better life for his family. After his discharge from the Army, he worked many different jobs, everything from a Florence firefighter to an over the road truck driver. He found his true calling in 1958 when he was the contractor for a home for his family. When it finished, Marie’s cousin Russell Thompson asked Glen to be the contractor on a home for their family. He said yes and a new career as a building contractor was launched. The vast majority of his clients were friends for life. He furthered his career by becoming a real estate broker. His business interests were growing and he needed an office for his bookkeeper. He found an unoccupied building on Florence Blvd but the space was larger than he needed, so, he started selling paint and paneling. That was the beginning of United True Value, a family business that continues until this day. This year marks the 50th anniversary.
After his retirement, he and Marie enjoyed the Florence senior citizen activities. Glen learned to dance at the age of 80. He was amazed to learn that Marie already knew how to dance. He was always trying to reassure his children that it was a wholesome activity. He would tell them there were strict rules at senior dances. He would say “there is no smokin’, no drinkin’, and no huggin’ up!!!”
He was a member of several business, civic and charitable organizations. They include: Founding member and president of Shoals Home Builders Association, past president of Florence Civitans, Board of directors for Mars Hill Bible School and Lauderdale Christian Nursing Home.
The family would like thank Dr. Robert Mann, his longtime physician; Doris Gallaher, his special friend and care-giver; Pam Swinea, Leigh Moody, Teresa Poole, Brandi Curry, Amedisys Hospice and Eldercare staff and caregivers.
Glen had a rich, full life. He left no stone unturned. His memory had been failing for a long time but he knew his family until the end. He led us in prayer this past Sunday at lunchtime. |
[courtesy of Joy Favors] Grave marker for
Boyden G. Jenkins in Greenview Memorial Gardens, Forest Hills
(Lauderdale county), Alabama.
Boyden, who came to prefer to go by his middle name of Glen,
registered for the draft at Florence, AL on 1 March 1944 and was
inducted into the Army shortly thereafter.
In early 1946 Pfc Jenkins was transferred to Company C, 508th PIR
where he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal in General Order 12 on 28
February 1946 |
