Jesse Jenkins

Jenkins, Jesse Lee Was born in Arkansas, but lived his adult life in Gary, Indiana. Born to Della Williams Jenkins and Andrew Jenkins, Jesse died from complications of diabetes. He fought successfully to see his 94th birthday on August 18th, then passed away quietly on August 19th. A proud member of St. Timothy Community Church, Jesse was an active member of the August Birth Month Club. He was baptized by the late Reverend Robert Lowery in 1995. In 2005, he moved to Atlanta to live with daughter Diane. Shortly after relocating, he suffered a heart attack and a stroke, but recovered to enjoy nine more years of casino visits, weekly bingo games, playing the nightly lottery, and occasional trips to Chicago, Nashville, Alabama, and North Carolina. Affectionately known by his friends as "Monk" Jesse worked as a probation officer with juvenile court before becoming a school social worker where he served at Pulaski, Tolleston, and finally his alma mater, Roosevelt High (Class of 1938). After high school, Jesse joined the army and was honorably discharged in 1945. Jesse graduated from West Virginia State. A member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity since 1948, Jesse held the position of Chairman of the Social Committee in the Gary Alumni Chapter for many years. In 1953, he married Helen Luckett Dixon and that union lasted until her death in August of 1990. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Eddie, Fred, and Ruth; wife; and daughter, Sandra Hayes. His survivors include: sister, Betty DeNeal; son, John (Cheryl) Jenkins; daughter, Jessie Diane Jenkins Harvey; granddaughter, Lakeisha Harvey; grandson, Demario Harvey; great-grandson, Brandon Harvey; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, fraternity brothers, and Roosevelt High classmate, John Wilson. Per his request, his remains have been cremated.