Ray Edbert Jenkins

Ray Edbert Jenkins, 87, an 80-year resident of Knoxville, most recently making his home in Greeneville, Tennessee passed away peacefully in his home on Monday July 24th following a short illness. Ray was born on March 26, 1936 to Hicks and Ella Mae Walker Jenkins in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife, Velma Jenkins, whom he adored and doated over for 69 years of marriage: daughters and sons-in-law Debbie and Greg Pinkston of Knoxville and Angie and Bobby Wells of Greeneville; grandchildren, Brandy Williams and husband Dustin, Chris Harris and wife Stephanie, Kaci Greene and husband Seth and Bradley Wells; Great grandchildren, Peyton Boone and wife Sarah, Christian Boone and wife Caitlyn, Makayla Parrish and husband Camryn and Remi Harris; Great-great grandchildren Caroline Boone, Olivia Boone, and Bentley Boone; Step-granddaughter Kyleigh Pinkston and several special nieces and nephews. In his early days Ray worked on the family farm, operating a raw milk dairy and growing several varieties of row crops. In the mid-1950s he began a nearly 20-year long career as a lab technician with the Pet Milk Company in Knoxville. He then became an owner-operator of several Knox County School buses, serving the Cedar Bluff and Karns communities. He also ventured into the property rental and management business, building apartment buildings near his west Knoxville home. In the early 1980s he joined Horne Properties as a property manager where he managed properties throughout several south-eastern states for over 20 years. Upon his retirement, he started his final career with Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann as an assistant funeral director where he served until his relocation to Greeneville, TN in 2015. During his time in Greeneville, Ray loved attending Greeneville High School basketball games, visiting with family and newly made friends, and doing some light gardening. Ray had a lifelong relationship with Edgewood Cemetery, spending many of his childhood days playing on the hill that his grandfather helped to develop into the cemetery. As he grew, his devotion to the care and maintenance of the cemetery deepened. He treasured his time of service to the community as he served on the board of directors for the cemetery beginning in the early 1960s and continuing until his death. He had a strong faith in His Lord that he faithfully shared with others in his life. As a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Concord, Ray served in many capacities within the church, including deacon, board of trustees and usher. He also served the youth of the church for many years as a Sunday school teacher, chaperone and bus driver for many youth retreats and musical presentations. The relationships that he developed over those years remained as some of his most precious memories. Upon moving to Greeneville, he became a member of First Baptist Church of Greeneville and enjoyed the friendships made there, especially among members of his Sunday school class. He also had 60 years of service as a member of the Cherokee Masonic Lodge. The family will receive friends at Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann, in Knoxville from 5:00-7:00 pm, Friday, July 28th with the funeral service following in the chapel at 7:00. A graveside service will be held at Edgewood Cemetery on Saturday, July 29th at 11:00 am. Officiants for the service are Reverend Fulton Hartzog of Knoxville and Reverend Joey Tillery of Greeneville. Pallbearers are Christian Boone, Peyton Boone, Jim Gilliland, Seth Greene, Chris Harris, Camryn Parrish, Bradley Wells, and Dustin Williams. Special thanks to the staff of Smokey Mountain Home Health Care and Hospice, the doctors and nurses of Greeneville Community Hospital, Dr. Charles Montgomery and Dr. Brody Stringer who all took such wonderful care of him in his final days. Memorials in Ray’s name may be made to Greene Young Life, 1102 East Church Street, Greeneville, TN 37745. Online condolences may be made to the Jenkins family at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Ray Edbert Jenkins

March 26, 1936 - July 24, 2023