Willie C. Jenkins, Sr.

Willie Carl Jenkins Sr. was born September 7, 1943 in Palestine, Texas to Willie Ernest and Dorothy Mae Jenkins. The oldest of four children, Willie Sr. passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2019, surrounded by his family and close friends.

Willie graduated from Trinidad High School in Trinidad, Texas. After high school, he went to Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas and earned his bachelor’s degree in Education. He later attended Central Michigan University and obtained his master’s degree in Mathematics. In 1966, Willie began his teaching career after relocating to Saginaw, Michigan.

Willie was a well-respected father, husband, educator, coach, politician, community activist, and friend. He was a faithful and long-time member of Bethel AME Church and he taught in the Buena Vista township school system for over 40 years. He loved every moment of teaching his students. He was known by his students as Mr. Jenkins or Mr. J. He would stand outside of his classroom door waiting for his students to enter while playfully teasing them and popping them upside the head with the newspaper.

Willie loved life. He enjoyed laughing, joking around, and talking smack with everyone. He loved sports, especially basketball. He spent his free time enjoying family and friends, watching various sports on television, reading the newspaper, and grilling for his loved ones, using his secret barbecue sauce. Willie’s favorite show was SportsCenter. In his younger days, he played basketball and gained the nickname “The Almighty Eagle” because as he went in for a lay-up he would soar like an eagle.

Willie lived by two mottos: “The superior man seeks within himself what the small man seeks in others.” “No matter what happens in life, you will be alright when the pain leaves.” Willie’s impact in the community as an educator, coach, and member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated will continue to live on and inspire many throughout generations.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Earnest and Dorothy Mae Jenkins.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Maxine Jenkins; former spouse, Barbara Jenkins; one daughter, Sharonda (Brandon) Jenkins Hodgkin; two sons, Willie Jr. (Kimberly) and Torrey Jenkins; six grandchildren, Dante, Willie III and Kashion Jenkins, Darrell, Kalah, and Diontae Hodgkin; three siblings, Ruby, Ernest, and Leon Jenkins; mother-in-law, Ida Stuckey; many nieces, nephews, relatives, former students and friends.