April 15, 2020
Mr. Dennis Ray Jenkins, Sr. age 72 of Sparta, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020 at his residence in the Johnsons Chapel Community of DeKalb County. Mr. Jenkins was born May 26, 1947 in Robbinsville, NC to his parents, the late Troy Isaac and Roselle Anderson Jenkins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by step-daughter, Helen Petty; grandson, Dylan Petty; 3 brothers, Troy Jenkins, Gudger Jenkins and Ted Jenkins; 3 sisters, Erma Tipton, Grace Debty and Doris Pannell. Dennis had a Master’s Degree in Carpentry and Masonry, worked in construction, was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam and was a member of the Open Door Bible Baptist Church in Goose Creek, SC. Dennis was a man that loved God, Family and Country. He lived out the true example of being a Christian. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Laurel Jenkins of Sparta; children, Denise (Don) Scarborough of Dawsonville, GA, Rhonda (Mickey) Lemons of Tennille, GA, Ray (Tammy) Jenkins, Jr. of Goose Creek, SC, Nancy Brink of Columbia, SC and Cody Atnip of Sparta; step-son, Anthony Atnip of Smithville; grandchildren, Dakota Ware, Charlie Latham, James Kroeck, Susie Latham, Dulton Latham, Nickie Doblin, Jay Latham, III, Kirby Goforth, Kacie Goforth, Tia Lemons, Mickenzy Lemons, Colton Griffin, Dale Atnip, McKinley Jenkins, Laura Jenkins, Katy Chislom, Candace Brink, Cachet Hardison, Travis Brink, Tony Lee Petty and Eric Petty; 22 great-grandchildren; brothers, Douglas Jenkins of Bryson City, NC, Johnny Jenkins of Fontana Dam, NC, Gale Jenkins of Marble, NC, Donald Jenkins of Robbinsville, NC and Terry Jenkins of Gastonia, NC; sisters, Sue Lingerfelt of Gastonia, NC, Nellie Jo Davis of Andrews, NC, and Carol Anderson of Fontana Dam, NC and several nieces and nephews. The family has honored Mr. Jenkins request to be cremated and a Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held later in North Carolina and will be announced when the date and time are set. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.