A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF David Leo Jenkins AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of David Leo Jenkins on March 25, 2025; and

 

Whereas, a native of Pendleton, Mr. Jenkins was born on September 7, 1933, to parents Mary Lee and Evans Jenkins; and

 

Whereas, a lifelong learner and educator, Mr. Jenkins graduated from Pendleton High School and went on to attend South Carolina State College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies in 1955; and

 

Whereas, a veteran of the United States Army, Mr. Jenkins proudly served from 1956 to 1958; and

 

Whereas, in 1966, Mr. Jenkins went back to school and earned a Master of Arts plus thirty hours in Educational Administration from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Jenkins dedicated over forty-four years of his life to the shaping of young minds. He began his career in 1958 as an elementary school teacher in Rock Hill, and he later retired as an assistant principal with the Lancaster High School System in 1991; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Jenkins continued to inspire students as a history instructor at Clinton Junior College in Rock Hill. There, he taught a variety of subjects, including world history, economics, civics, and middle school mathematics, and also served as a guidance counselor. His legacy of influencing countless students will be remembered for generations; and

 

Whereas, a civic leader, Mr. Jenkins served with many community organizations, including his participation as a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., with whom he served as the president and treasurer of his local chapter. He was also a member of Prince Hall F&A Masonic Lodge #162, where he served as Senior Warden and Treasurer. He served on the advisory board for Dementia Outreach for Minorities, the Lancaster County Joint Planning Commission, and as a charter member of the Lancaster Optimist Club; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Jenkins also contributed to the Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee of the Lancaster County Department of Social Services. In his later years, he trained as a volunteer for the AARP Tax Preparation Program, helping senior citizens as he had for many years; and

 

Whereas, a devout Christian, he was a member of Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, where he served as an Ordained Ruling Elder; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Jenkins was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-eight years, Artyce Amelia Walker Jenkins, who passed away in 2016; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Jenkins leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, The Honorable Audrey J. Jenkins and Eleanor R. Jenkins-Alford, M.D.; his granddaughters, Lauren Alford, Leah Alford, Lydia Alford, and London Alford; his nephew, Ernest Jenkins, Ph.D.; numerous cousins and close friends; and the countless students who learned from him. He will be greatly missed.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of David Leo Jenkins and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of David Leo Jenkins.

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