John M. Jenkins

John Marion Jenkins, age 98, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home in Lawrenceville, GA, on October 1, 2022. He was proceeded in death by his wife of 42 years, Nitia Leverette Jenkins, his second wife of 19 years, Myra Taylor Jenkins; his siblings Luther Alvin Jenkins, Jr., Edna Margaret Jenkins, and William Francis Jenkins; and his parents Luther Alvin Jenkins and Frances Pool Jenkins of Macon, GA.

John is survived by three children, Patricia Jenkins Mazarky (Brent) of Gainesville, GA; Rebecca Jenkins Summers (Tom) of Lawrenceville, GA; and David Leverette Jenkins (Joy) of Lavonia, GA. His grandchildren are Thomas Lee Mazarky (Tonya), Christie Mazarky Callaway (Gordon), Stephanie Summers, Patrick Summers, Lorie Summers, Katie Summers Devine (Mark), Christopher Jenkins (Chrissy), and Amber Jenkins. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren who are Taylor Mazarky, Toby Mazarky, Lane Jenkins, Addison Jenkins, Conrad Jenkins, and Jackson Devine and by many nieces and nephews.

John served in the Army and the Army Air Corp during World War II then returned to Atlanta where he made two life-changing decisions. He attended and graduated from The Georgia Institute of Technology, and he married his beloved wife, Nitia Jenkins.

John had many passions in life including his profession as an architect. He worked with Southern Engineering Company for four decades designing schools, rural electric co-ops, churches and an occasional home for a friend. In his work, he traveled the Southeast. Out of necessity, he became a pilot and enjoyed flying the company’s planes wherever his work took him. After his retirement from Southern Engineering, he began a new career consulting in asbestos abatement with C-Tech and later with PSI where he wrote protocol manuals, taught classes, and provided expert witness testimony when required.

After his business traveling days were done, John loved to travel for fun and adventure. Hawaii was one of his favorite places. His second wife Myra was his best travel companion as they toured cities throughout Europe. There was a new cruise every year including a trip through the Panama Canal. John and Myra were also great square-dancing companions as were John and Nitia.

John loved God and the church. He served the church in many capacities from Sunday School teacher to Deacon to Choir Director. Most recently he attended Heritage Hills Baptist Church in Conyers, GA, with his second wife, Myra. When he moved from his last home into independent senior living, he got busy and found a minister to hold Protestant services there.

He also loved all God’s creation with sailing being a particular passion. A Boy Scout growing up in Macon, GA, he “paid it forward” as a Scout Master/Leader for 30+ years impacting the lives of many young men including three generations of Eagle Scouts--his son David, grandson Christopher, and great-grandson Taylor.

Above all, John left a legacy of a loving family with a strong faith in God. Always a teacher, his family can never repay all the wonderful lessons learned by watching the life and hearing the words of this good and faithful servant.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Scout Troup 33 at 5135 Mt. Olivet Road, Lavonia, GA 30553 or to Grace Village Medical Clinic, 4002 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Clarkston, GA 30021 (on-line at gracevillagemedicalclinic.org)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eternalhillsfuneralhome.com for the Jenkins family.