Dr. David Lee Jenkins

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for David L. Jenkins, 89, who passed peacefully at his home in Gilmer on Friday, November 6, 2020. The service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 9 at Sunset Memorial Park with Rev. Matthew Smith and Rev. Richard Laster officiating. Services are under the direction of Croley Funeral Home of Gilmer.
David Lee Jenkins, the first born of David H. and Katie Lee Cooper Jenkins, was born April 7, 1931 in Beaumont, Texas. David grew up in and attended Beaumont schools and was graduated from French High School and Lamar Junior College. He was employed as a reporter for the Beaumont Enterprise where he worked for two years.
Having grown up in a strong Christian home and attending church with his family all his life, David was very involved with a youth movement in the area and began to speak at the youth rallies and played the piano for those events. In 1952 he answered the call to the gospel ministry and entered East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas, while pastoring at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Fred, Texas. David accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Kirbyville, Texas in 1963, six weeks before his marriage to Melba Ann Allen. After pastorates at Atlanta, Texas and Shreveport, David accepted the pastorate at First Baptist Church Gilmer where he served for 20 years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 Years, Melba Allen Jenkins of Gilmer; daughter, Paula Peveto and husband Don of Colmesneil; son, Chris Jenkins and wife Luci of Gilmer; sister, Elaine Gore; grandchildren, Ashley McGowan, Kent Mitcham, James Jenkins, Savanna Young, Lillie Jenkins, Hank Jenkins, and six great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Wesley Wiler; and sister, Ann McClain.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Gilmer or First Baptist Church of Gilmer.