Photo courtesy of Andrews Mortuary and Crematory - Market Street Chapel - Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Jan 23, 1932 – Mar 27, 2021 (Age 89)
Dr. David B. Jenkins, Sr.
January 23, 1932 – March 27, 2021
Dr. David B. Jenkins, Sr., 89, of Wilmington, NC, passed away on the morning of March 27th in the care of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare at The Davis Community.
David was born in Philadelphia, PA. As a child he grew up in Lansing and Grand Rapids, MI and Huntington, WV. He graduated from Huntington High School and Marshall University with a double major in Music and Speech. He was first employed as the Director of Band and Choral Music at Fort Gay High School in WV. He later answered a call to be a minister and went to Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1957. He later graduated from Southeastern Seminary at Wake Forest, NC with a Doctor of Ministry degree.
David had the extreme fortune to have met the love of his life, Martha Suzanne Ross, at Marshall University. They married in 1953 and were blissfully wed for 68 years. They celebrated their anniversary on September 3rd before Suzanne passed away in November. David and Suzanne were blessed with a family of four boys that always kept them on their toes.
David was truly a man of God and this would become his passion, life’s work, and legacy. After being ordained as a Presbyterian Minister, he served as pastor at the Elizabethtown, NC, Presbyterian church for 7 years, the Rockingham, NC Presbyterian church for 7 years, and the Goldsboro, NC Presbyterian church for 14 years as the senior minister. His ministry then changed when he became the Executive Director of the Outreach Foundation. The opportunity involved travel around the world to help plant new mission churches and raise funds for their support through Presbyterian churches in the US. He was then called to be the Regional Director of the Medical Benevolence Foundation for the next 18 years, raising funds for Presbyterian mission hospitals and mission schools. Dr. Jenkins officially retired in 2003. However, never one to be idle, he was called on to serve as the interim pastor at Calabash, Sneads Ferry and at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk at Wrightsville Beach.
David and his family always enjoyed the beach, especially Holden Beach, where they had a summer home since 1958. Not surprisingly, he served as a volunteer chaplain for over 50 years. He also enjoyed playing golf and was a member at Porter’s Neck Country Club. David is in an exceedingly rare club of people that can boast of having 3 hole-in-ones!
He leaves behind, to cherish his memory his sons, David Jenkins Jr. (Wilmington, NC), Steve Jenkins (Raleigh, NC), Mark Jenkins and wife Marty (Raleigh, NC), his sisters Barbara Barbour and husband Charlie, Marty Mamunes and partner Larry Henderson. David was predeceased by his wife, Suzanne, son Jim Jenkins (Concord, NC), his brother Stuart Jenkins (Myrtle Beach, SC) and his sister Ruth Ann Underwood (Goldsboro, NC).
The family will have a private family service and will announce a celebration of life service for both David and Suzanne later due to COVID-19 restrictions. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the David and Suzanne Jenkins Scholarship Award Fund at Union Presbyterian Seminary (3401 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227) or your place of worship in his honor. Cards may be sent to the family at POB 10465, Wilmington, NC 28404.
The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to the Lightkeeper Team at Davis Community, Porters Neck, NC, for the love, care and support they provided our father, David, and his entire family during his time with them the past 2 ½ years.
Read MoreDr. Jenkins baptized me when I was a boy. I hold fond memories of him.
Joe Holmes
April 01, 2024
My sisters and I are so sad to hear of the passing of Rev. Jenkins and also of Suzanne. The Coffin and Powell families loved having them in our Etown Presbyterian Church for 7 years and were so disappointed when they moved on. He Christened me and was so gentle..Mommy told me I didn't even cry. They were a fun family to be around.
Cynthia Thomas
July 03, 2021 | Friend
Mark, Read about your father's passing in the N&O and want to let you know that I am thinking about you and praying for you. It was a privilege knowing both of your parents during their time in Goldsboro. We had many good memories on the tennis courts across Eastern North Carolina. Lots of great matches for the Cougars! Take care! Love you! Coach Wolfe
Bob Wolfe
April 07, 2021 | Apex, NC | Friend
So sorry for your Loss. Your Father’s name is one I will never forget ~ though you don’t know me, he Christened me at Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church in 1955 when I was a baby where my Family were members and I still have one remaining uncle and his wife that are still members there.
Thinking of your Family.
Anne-Lloyd Hutchinson Summerlin
Holden Beach
Anne-Lloyd Hutchinson Summerlin
April 03, 2021 | Acquaintance
I met David and Suzanne while working on staff at the Little Chapel on the Boardwalk. I remember one of David's favorite hymns was "Joy to the World." I think of him every time I hear that hymn. I will always remember what a joy it was to work with him, his trumpet playing, the worship services he led, and how he shared his love for Christ with all.
I now serve as a Commissioned Lay Pastor at Calabash and often pass by his picture. It hangs on the wall of former ministers who served...
Karen Scheboth
April 01, 2021 | CALABASH, NC | Coworker
So sad to hear the loss of your father. He and his lovely wife were so kind to my mother and her boys and helped shaped who we were to become as a loving Christian family. His trumpet playing during Xmas service still rings true to me and I will never forget the kindness he showed to all members of his congregation.
jeff herrett
March 31, 2021 | Sneads Ferry, NC | Friend
I met David when we sang in the Porters Neck Singers. David and Suzanne were fellow country club members. They were both lovely people I enjoyed being with. I know they will be sorely missed by their family and friends.
Denny Quinn
March 31, 2021 | Wilmington, NC | Friend
David and Suzanne were wonderful neighbors for many years. He was the first person I met when I moved onto our street, and over the years I found him always to be kind and thoughtful. (I still have a voice mail in which he called me to apologize for falling asleep when I visited him in the nursing home. He was worried that he'd offended me!) Also, he amazed me at his dedication to doing his own yard work (he told me that raking meant he got free pine straw) and home improvements (even when he...
Tim Bass
March 29, 2021 | Wilmington, NC | Neighbor
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Your father was the finest person and pastor that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Our families went through many years together in Goldsboro and the First Presbyterian Church. I will always remember David & Suzanne. What a blessing they were to me!
Melissa Galloway Hinds
March 29, 2021 | Wilmington, NC | Friend
