Paul J. "Joe" Jenkins

Paul J. "Joe" Jenkins

Paul J. "Joe" Jenkins, 90, of Charlottesville, passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. His family will miss him and remember him as a dedicated administrator, church deacon, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He was born on September 1, 1919, in Webster, Florida, a son of the late Paul Jenkins and Nettie Illey Jenkins. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Faith Russell; a brother, Charles O. Jenkins; and his grandson, Andrew Baber.

After high school he worked for and attended the University of Florida where he received his Bachelor's degree. Immediately after graduation, he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army and served during World War II in Field Artillery while stationed in Europe. Upon his return from the war, he and Betty married. They moved to Alabama where he attended the University of Alabama and received his Master's degree in Public Administration. In the early 1950's he became the Director of Personnel for the University of Virginia. He held that position until 1969.

His final career move was to Piedmont Virginia Community College as the Dean of Administration. As the first person ever to be hired at Piedmont Virginia Community College, he was instrumental in the planning and establishment of this educational institution. In the mid- 1980's, he retired from Piedmont Virginia Community College and began several research projects which resulted in the publication of a book and a manuscript. During this period of his work, he became an accomplished computer user. He, with the editorial assistance of William Owens and Sam Pincus, published PVCC: The first 25 years. He also wrote a manuscript which was the result of extensive research that he completed on the property transfers from the early Monticello properties of Thomas Jefferson. His research during the late 1980's and through the 1990's included the genealogy of his family and the lighthouses of the world. He traveled extensively to document and photograph lighthouses.

He was a long-time member of University Baptist Church, serving in many capacities, especially as a deacon. For his contribution, he was appointed Deacon Emeritus.

In his later years, he enjoyed spending time at Hotcakes at Barracks Road, attending University of Virginia Women's Basketball games, gardening, and traveling, including several trips each year to his beloved Ivy Castle on the Outer Banks.

He is survived by his wife, Betty M. Jenkins; and their children, Edward J. Jenkins and his wife, Fumiyo, of Springfield, Virginia, Colleen J. Baber of Charlottesville, Kathy J. Pye of Richmond, Virginia, Stephen P. Jenkins and his wife, Annmarie, of Centreville, Virginia, Thomas A. Jenkins and his partner, Sandra Hancock of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Richard W. Jenkins and his wife, Jeanne, of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren all of whom he dearly loved and two recently born great-grandbabies that he never got to meet.

A memorial service will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, June 7, 2010, at the University Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Tom Leland officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to make a memorial contribution can send a donation to the University Baptist Church at 1223 Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903 or Hospice of the Piedmont at 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or www.hopva.org.

The family would like to thank Dr. Barbara Post and her staff for all of their kind and gentle care. The family would also like to thank the staff at Winterhaven Assisted Living for Senior Citizens, especially Sylvia. Without her special brand of loving care, Dad's final days with us would not have been as bright.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.hillandwood.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.