Mr. Marion Lawrence "Squirrel" Jenkins Obituary (1951

RIDGEVILLE, SC - In profound sorrow we announce the passing of Mr. Marion Lawrence "Squirrel" Jenkins, 67 of Ridgeville, SC., who entered into eternal rest on Monday, November 19, 2018 at a local hospital. Mr. Jenkins is a retired truck driver and the widower of Mrs. Doretha White Jenkins and the father of Dr. DaNine J. Fleming (Travis). Mr. Marion Lawrence Jenkins was born April 1, 1951 and lovingly adopted by the late Mr. Lawrence and Mrs. Oletha J. Jenkins. He was raised and educated in the Givhans community. Marion was raised in the church, Canaan United Methodist Church, where he kept his membership throughout his life. Marion graduated from Alston High School and began college at Claflin University. Although he thoroughly enjoyed Claflin, he did not complete his studies there and decided to join the workforce. Anyone who knew Marion, affectionately called "Squirrel" by those closest to him knew that he had a heart of gold and also loved driving trucks and often boasted of the many types of trucks that he worked with over the years. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. I Corinthians 13:4 After a beautiful courtship he married the love of his life, the former (late) Doretha White, on December 23, 1972. One lovely daughter joined this union, the late Tonya Denise Jenkins Reid, and one daughter was born, Dr. Beata DaNine Jenkins Fleming. "If I can help somebody as I pass along the way then my living shall not be in vain." Anyone who knows "Squirrel" knows that he loved people. Most of his friends were years if not a decade older than him or younger than him. He was able to work with, talk to and hang out with anyone...and loved being social. Known to be a man of not so many words unless you were truly close to him, he enjoyed having a good time and entertaining at his favorite "Spot." "I look to the hills from which cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord." Psalms 121 Comforted only by the promise of the resurrection and eternal life with God through Jesus Christ, those left to cherish Marion's memories include: daughter, Dr. B. DaNine J. Fleming (Travis), grandchildren Donald E. "Chip" Reid, Jr. Donovan D. Reid, Sydnei L. Fleming, and Donte` D. Reid, son in law, Mr. Donald E. Reid, Sr., cousin and caretaker extraordinaire Sandra "Sam" Gelzer, reared as siblings; Dr. Anna M. Aikens, siblings by marriage Mr. JB White, Jr. (Charlotte), Rev. Floyd W. White (Lorraine), Mrs. Verdell Crowe (Frank), Mr. Abraham White (Miriam), Mrs. Claressa Geddis (Anthony), and Ret. Sergeant First Class Eric White; Aunt Hattie Mae Nesbit of Jacksonville Florida and Uncle, Deacon Albert Jenkins, Sr. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by marriage Mrs. Faye Cherrie, Mrs. Betty Williams (James), Ms. Martha Alston and Mrs. Gearlean Simmons (Moses), Uncle, Mr. Otis Williams and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Just 16 months and 2 days since the departure of his loving wife, Mrs. Doretha W. Jenkins, he grew tired and was making his final preparations to join her, and to see his daughter, Tonya D. Reid, and parents Mr. Lawrence and Mrs. Oletha J. Jenkins who had all completed their race of life before him. When the Master called his name on Monday, November 19, 2018 despite the valiant efforts of many of his friends to save him, God had a different plan and allowed him to depart his earthly home and receive his rest. **In lieu of flowers the family request that monetary donations be made to The Oletha J. and Lawrence Jenkins Education Endowment Fund at Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina or towards a new initiative for a Low country Food Box that we will be establishing in His service.