Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Charlie Alvester Jenkins was born July 20, 1940 in St. Johns Township, Hertford County, NC to the late William Edward and Bruce Dukes Jenkins. He departed this life on April 14, 2020 in Philadelphia, PA.

Charlie was educated in Hertford County, NC Public School System and was known to be a jack of all trades, a man with many hidden talents. He started his early adult years in farming under the tutelage of his maternal grandfather, James Louis Dukes. He was a carpenter, mechanic, Ford Motor Company, car carrier transport, tow truck operator, chef, entrepreneur and more. Upon retiring, he began working for himself doing home repair and renovating homes. You could often find him running errands, care giving, and working for the elders in Philadelphia, PA. He had a passion for cooking and for racing cars.

On October 26, 1959 he married Pauline Ballard and from this union four children were born: Calvin Alvester, Ernestine Marie, Clinton Leroy, and Linda Denise Jenkins. Later he met and married Myrtle Elizabeth Ayers on October 14, 1974 and from this union one child was born: Roddrick D’Shawn Jenkins.

Charlie was a quiet and laid back, one of few words yet meant what he said. He revered and loved both of his maternal (James Louis and Emma E. Riddick Dukes) and paternal (Massellion “Marcellus” and Blannie Ethel Lassiter Jenkins) grandparents.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, William Edward Jenkins and Bruce Dukes Jenkins Anderson; wife, Myrtle Elizabeth Ayers Jenkins; brothers, William Basil Jenkins, and Louis Bradshaw “Braddy” Jenkins; and sister, Yolanda Jenkins

He leaves to cherish his memories, children, Calvin A. Jenkins, Ernestine M. Jenkins, Delegate Clinton L. (Karen) Jenkins, Linda D. (Robert) Jenkins Bagley, and Rev. Roddrick D. Jenkins, Sr.; sisters, Marion M. Jenkins Williams, Beverly J. (Claude) Anderson Pierce, Sheila Jenkins, and Tracy L. Jenkins; brother, Jeffrey Jenkins; step mother, Bettye Jenkins; special aunt, Dessie Eleanor Jenkins Vaughan; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be conducted Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. from the Lewis – Lassiter Family Cemetery with Elder Roddrick D. Jenkins, Sr., officiating.

Cornish Funeral Home, Cape Charles, Virginia, is handling the arrangements.