Alton Wayne Jenkins

Alton "Wayne" Jenkins, 88, of Grantsboro, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Sunday, November 6, 2022. Born Wednesday, February 14, 1934, in Memphis, Texas, he was the eighth of nine children born to Susan Viola and Lemuel Euin Jenkins.

Wayne married Linda Curtis on a Saturday, December 29th and they enjoyed 65 years together. Wayne lived a full life that included serving his country in the Army during the Korean War, playing football in college, and then coaching high school football where he also taught history. He transitioned out of the school setting to the U.S. Department of Labor Job Corps program in 1965 where he was an advocate and mentor for at-risk youth and young adults as they learned trades and life skills. This role took him across the country and eventually to the administration side of Job Corp in the Kansas City Regional Office. He and his family settled there for 25 years.

Wayne is preceded in death by his wife, Linda. He is survived by his children, Debra Ann Soar, Kenneth Wayne Jenkins and wife, Laurie, Rhonda Gay McGibbon and husband, Patrick, Lisa Rene Phelan, Kenyon Wade Jenkins, and Melissa Lynn Swonger and husband, Darin; 19 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; as well as his brother, James Jenkins and his wife Minerva; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be set at a time yet to be determined and will be live-streamed for those unable to attend. Condolences may be expressed to the family online.