Leon Atton Jenkins Sr.

HIS JOURNEY On Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Aurora Nursing Home in Princess Anne, Maryland, the Reverend Leon Alton Gibson Jenkins, Sr. laid down his fleshly burdens of life and walked with Jesus the Christ into the glorious eternal life. Born on July 10, 1935, Leon was one of four children born of the late Frank and Helen Gibson in Easton, Maryland. Leon was a student of the Talbot County public school system, graduating from Robert Russa Moton Junior/Senior High School (now Easton Elementary School) class of 1956, where he played for the Moton Tigers basketball team. During his formative years, he attended Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church (now Asbury United Methodist Church). It was during his faith walk that he attended King’s Apostle Holiness Church of God in Denton, Maryland. There he gave his life to Jesus the Christ and he also attended Union Baptist Church in Easton, Maryland. Leon served in the Easton National Guard for 7 years, from 1962 to 1968. It was during this time that he united in holy matrimony to the former Susie Lawrence on May 21, 1964. To this union, they were blessed with three children. He was employed at Waverley Press for 15 years as well as the Talbot County public school system, Talbot County Department of Social Services, Tide Water Inn and Bethany House, Inc. in Cordova, Maryland. It was while he was working at Bethany House that he met his second wife, the former Reverend JoAnne Maxwell. They married on May 20, 1989 at John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to Ridgely, Maryland. He joined his wife as a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. In 1992, he was ordained an Elder and became an Assistant Minister in one of his wife’s churches. In 2000, they both went on loan to the United Methodist Church and in 2001 they were granted permission to transfer into the denomination. From 2003 to 2014, he pastored the following churches: Union United Methodist Church in Delmar, Delaware, Elzey United Methodist Church in Bivalve, Maryland and Union at Coleman’s Corner in Worton, Maryland, which would be his last church due to a stroke and failing health. In 2003, Reverend Jenkins, along with two other men, formed the Tri-State Men’s Fellowship, which brought together men from DE, VA and MD. They met every Tuesday morning at New Bethel United Methodist Church in Berlin, MD for worship and fellowship. The group used their musical gifts to minister at churches, nursing homes and community events. Leon had two loves, cooking and sports. He loved cooking rabbit, muskrat, pig feet and deer. He could put a hurting on collard greens, cabbage and turnips, all cooked with fat back. When it came to sports, he was a passionate fan of the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Redskins. He loved the Orioles so much that he would watch the Classic Orioles channel. He had a running rivalry with JoAnne who is a Ravens fan, especially since the Ravens are a young team with two Super Bowls under their belt, after being organized for only 12 years. The Redskins have not won a Super Bowl since 1991 and are 27 years dry. Yet basketball was in his blood. From college to the professional basketball league, he watched them all. He made it his business to play the game himself with whom ever was available, even his wife. Leon always said his biggest mistake was getting his wife interested in football, baseball and basketball, because he created a monster, since she became as passionate as he. Leon will always be known for how he interacted with people. It did not matter who you were, he was there for you, even to the point of giving you the shirt off his back. When it came to talking, Leon could spend hours talking. This gift of approaching people brought everyone in the church, especially the men. His motto was, “When Man Says No, God Says Yes.” Leon will truly be missed by family and friends. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife JoAnne; three children, Victoria Covington of Easton, Maryland, Leon A. Jenkins, Jr. of Cumberland, Maryland and Lonnie Jenkins, Jr. of Hawaii; granddaughter, Kyisha Jenkins of Easton, Maryland; two great grandchildren, Jordan Williams and Brooklyn Holland; goddaughter Terrie Harris of Salisbury, Maryland and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, classmates and many friends. In addition to his parents, Leon was preceded in death by a sister, Bertha Clark and two brothers, William Gibson and James Gibson.

Leon Atton Jenkins Sr.

July 10, 1935 - December 30, 2018