Sammy Arlin Jenkins

Sammy Arlin Jenkins passed from this life at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital on June 29th, 2019, at the age of 76 years.
He was born on January 10th, 1943, in Rector, Ark., to Orlie and Marie Jenkins.  He attended Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark., where he received his bachelors and masters degrees in education.
He spent the vast majority of his life as an educator and school administrator at Rector Public Schools, Crowley’s Ridge Academy, West Memphis Christian School, Harding Academy (Memphis), Crowley’s Ridge College, Wynne Public Schools and the Balcom Learning Center at Children’s Homes, Inc.  He also served as a minister for congregations across Northeast Arkansas, including Reynolds Chapel Church of Christ, New Bethel Church of Christ, Marmaduke Church of Christ, Boydsville Church of Christ, Light Church of Christ and various other congregations on an as-needed basis.
He married Joan Mallett on June 29th, 1963.  They had two children: son, Kerry (Dena) of Fort Smith; and, daughter, Kelli Brinkley (Micah) of Paragould.  Joan passed away on July 30th, 2006, following a battle with cancer.
On March 15th, 2008, Sam married Ruth Kirkley and he became stepfather to four more children: three stepdaughters – Renee Williams (Randy) of Branson, Mo., Denise Gschwend (Lenny) of Jonesboro, Ark., and Tiffany Alexander of Russellville, Ark.; and one stepson, Frank of Jonesboro, Ark.
Sam was a loving PawPaw to 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and one on the way.
He is also survived by one sister, Carol Dickinson (Joe) of Paragould, one sister-in-law, Patty Jenkins White of Rector, Ark., and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his first wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Mickey Jenkins of Marmaduke.
Sam was a member of the Center Hill Church of Christ in Paragould.
A visitation will be held in the Center Hill Chapel of Phillips Funeral Home in Paragould starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3rd.  The memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. and will be officiated by Art Smith and Gerald Fears.
Honorary pallbearers are Harrell Austin, Larry Brinkley, Ricky Dickinson, Arvil Hill, Jearl Howard, Donald Jenkins, Bobby Pendergrass, Ken Smith, Dan Stokes, and Al Williams.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Children’s Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR  72450 or Crowley’s Ridge Academy, 606 Academy Drive, Paragould, AR  72450.
 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.