On April 20, 2024, seven days after his 92nd birthday, we lost a pillar of the community, and the world became a lesser place with the passing of Reverend Ray Edward Jenkins. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Reverend Louis Pearce and Reverend Tommy Henry officiating. Interment followed in Eastbrook Cemetery with Reverend Billy Brinson officiating. The Family received friends at Tomlinson Funeral Home Monday evening from 6 to 8 pm.
Pallbearers were Tim Garrett, Kevin McDaniel, Terry Reynolds, Corbin Wiggins, Johnny Sikes and Riner Wiggins. Honorary pallbearers were Pastors, Gideons, and Oak Chapel Deacons.
Ray was born in Emanuel County to the late Eddie James "Shine" Jenkins and Georgia Agnes Kirkland Jenkins. After losing their 14-month-old daughter to diphtheria, Ray's parents taught him to love big and hug often. With Ray's talent of never meeting a stranger, becoming a salesman was a natural career choice. Always goal oriented he was quickly promoted to sales manager. At 26 years of age, he had the distinction of becoming the youngest manager in company history. For 11 years, he worked as a certified election official for Emanuel County. Life really began for him at age 40 when he gave his life to Jesus. He became a lay worker in the church and was invited to speak at many area churches. Ray served as a Gideon prior to being ordained in the ministry in 1992 while attending First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. He served as pastor at Oak Grove in Portal for 10 years prior to 'retiring'. However, God had different plans and Ray was called to pastor Oak Chapel in Swainsboro for 20 years. After stepping down from the Senior Pastor position, he continued to serve as Associate Pastor until his death. When Ray got saved, he never got over it and shared his faith with everyone he met. He impacted many lives throughout his community. He walked his faith out through acts of service and was there day or night when people needed him. If you were fortunate enough to know him, you were truly blessed indeed. Steady as a beating heart, faithful as the sun rises, more loving than a mother to a newborn, he loved and lived fiercely. He had a long love story with his wife, Ruth, that lasted for 74 years. His love and adoration for his "bride" set an example for everyone to emulate. You didn't see one without the other because when their hearts were tied, they merged into one. Their love story began with their first date on Valentine's Day and by the second date he asked her to marry him. She thought he was crazy, but just like everything in his life, he set a goal and won her over, and they were married seven months later. They belonged together like peanut butter and jelly. Rev. Jenkins is preceded in death by his son, Donny Ray Jenkins.
Rev. Jenkins is survived by his wife, Mary Ruth Spence Jenkins of Swainsboro; children, Judy Jenkins of Swainsboro, Ann Jenkins Keene (Nick) of Peoria, AZ and bonus daughter, Melani Brewer Akins (Jay) of Lexington, SC; grandchildren, Jamey Jenkins (Clarissa) of Statesboro, Trey Cowart (Amy) of Waynesboro, Jeffrey Brewer (Rachael) of Chandler, AZ, Wes Jenkins (Lacey) of North Augusta, SC, Seth Brewer (Tabatha) of Swainsboro and Marley Mobley (Daniel) of Waynesboro; great-grandchildren; 21 plus 2 on the way; and three great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oak Chapel Church, 461 Blundale Church Rd, Swainsboro, GA 30401 or Gideons International, PO Box 365, Swainsboro, GA 30401.
