Eddie B Jenkins Jr.

Eddie was an exceptional human being. He excelled in everything he did, but most of all he loved deeply and unconditionally. Eddie was 8 years old when his family relocated from Vicksburg to Muskegon, Michigan, where he was number 3 of 13 siblings, and exemplified God’s standards of what it meant to be a son, brother, father, spouse, friend, and servant.

Eddie was daddy to six, the youngest born to his union with Dorothy, his loving wife of 38 years. Their life together spanned 40 years, the majority in Grand Rapids, Michigan and later in Phoenix and Maricopa, Arizona, the place where God sent Jesus to carry him to his heavenly home on May 9, 2026.

As a child Eddie attended McIntyre Elementary School in Vicksburg and Maple Grove School in Muskegon. As a teenager, he attended Our Lady of Grace, and Muskegon Catholic Central high school where he excelled in academics and received the honor of class valedictorian. As a young adult he attended Grand Valley State College University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Muskegon Community college with an interest in earning a business degree. Though Eddie never received a paper degree, he could have easily received several Honorary Ph.Ds. In fact, there probably was not a degree high enough to encompass his level of intelligence.

Eddie was raised and nurtured in the Catholic faith and had an unbreakable, personal relationship with God. Yet, serving and worshiping God had no denominational boundaries for Eddie because of his upbringing in a loving and Christian home where his gifts, talents, skills, ethics and values were cultivated and fully developed. He carried and displayed each one with him throughout his life, wherever he lived, worked and worshipped.

Eddie had many talents and was business savvy. He enjoyed hunting, dancing, eating and sleeping. He got much pleasure from spending time with family, and especially traveling with Dorothy, who he referred to as his “roadie”.

Eddie was a man of courage and strength. He had a big heart, a hardy laugh, and a kind spirit. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, caregiver, provider, and supporter. He was an encourager, kind, gentle and generous and lived his life to the fullest - unashamedly and unapologetically. Eddie had a captivating personality, and a spirit of joy that shined like a light, touching the hearts of everyone he encountered. He was a very optimistic and person of unwavering faith and, regardless of the situation, would always say, “It’ll be alright.”

Eddie served in the military branch of the army with excellence for three years before being honorably discharged. He was employed for 31 years at Sun Chemical as a chemical operator before retiring in 2015. During his employment Eddie served as union president.

While living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eddie and Dorothy attended and were faithful members for 9 years at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorship of the late Rev. Richard Clark and later served for 20 years at Brown-Hutcherson Ministries under the pastorship of Rev. Nathaniel Moody. Eddie always served with joy in the ministry areas of choir, usher, and trustee board, and working alongside Dorothy, encouraging and supporting her in every area of the ministry work assigned to her by God.

Eddie was an accomplished, confident, individual and excelled in everything he did. To tell it all, a book would have to be written about Eddie, who was in his own right a genius. He was unquestionably one of the great ones, a unique, debonair, well versed, knowledgeable, blessed, praiseworthy, honored and intelligent individual who selflessly served and blessed the lives of his family, friends, and countless others.

Eddie (“Eddie Jr.”, “Ed”, “Dad”, “Daddy”, “Pops”, “Granddad”, “Granddaddy”) will be loved and missed forever. We thank God for the privilege and honor of knowing and being loved by him; and especially being present in the life of such a wonderful and amazing man of God.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents Eddie Sr. and Nancy Jenkins, brother, Glen Jenkins, nephew, Dorieko Jenkins, and nieces, Autumn Jenkins and Deanna Mack; special in laws: Rev. N.H. and Willie Lee McGlothian, Dwight Brunson Sr., George (Billie) Foreman Sr., Maxine Tatum, and Mack Earl McGlothian.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Dorothy, 6 Adult Children: Elise LaFaye White (Absalon Sr.) of Casa Grande, AZ; Efreida Day (David Jr.), Eddie B. Jenkins III, Edriese (Tamerra) Jenkins, Edgdridge Jenkins of Muskegon, Michigan, Leah Clotee (Tobias)Taylor of Phoenix, AZ; 11 Siblings: Mary Foreman of Oceanside, CA, John Jenkins Sr. of New Era, MI, Dr. Flora Lee Jenkins of Lansing, MI, Ira Mack, Michael Sr. (Sylvia) Jenkins, and Henry Carl Jenkins of Muskegon, MI, Randolph Jenkins Sr. of Birmingham, AL, Elaine Brunson of Missouri City, TX, Larry Jenkins of North Muskegon, MI, Paul Sr. (Lisa) of Country Club Hills, IL, Nancy Lynn (Fousseyni) Diawara of Lansing, MI; 16 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close and longtime friends.

To all who knew and loved Ed: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Jesus Christ (John‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV)‬‬.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬