Colby Melville Jenkins Jr.

Colby Jenkins, Jr. Colby Melville Jenkins, Jr., 77 year old resident of Frankfort, died Saturday, June 6, 2009, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in the Harrod Brothers Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. David Hinson officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in Georgetown Cemetery under the direction of Harrod Brothers. Colby Melville Jenkins was born January 5, 1932 in Georgetown. The son of C. M. and Jesse (Bridges) Jenkins, he spent his early years in Georgetown, and attended and graduated from Garth High School. He then attended the University of Kentucky and Baylor University. Mel was a veteran of the Korean War. On December 21, 1957, Mel married the love of his life, JoAnn Billings, in Georgetown, Kentucky. To this union, one son, Robert, was born. He was a wonderful father and friend to Robert and a caring and faithful husband and friend to JoAnn. Mel enjoyed his work and many friends in the Transportation Cabinet before retiring in 1995 after 35 years of public service. Mel was a longtime faithful member of the First Baptist Church on St. Clair Street, where he served as Deacon Chairman on several occasions, taught Sunday School, and served in many other capacities. He loved his church. One of his favorite activities was working with other members of his Sunday School class when they served meals to the homeless and those less fortunate. Mel had over 40 years of service in Kiwanis and was an active member of the East Frankfort Kiwanis Club, having served as president numerous times. He believed in community service in general and in the service of Kiwanis in particular. Mel enjoyed hearing the laughter of children and seeing their eyes brighten when their parents bought Christmas trees from East Frankfort Kiwanis. Mel is survived by his wife, JoAnn, of Frankfort; one son, Robert, of Lexington; nephews, Gerald Parker of Lexington and Jack Hamilton of Sacramento, CA; one brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Melba Billings of Woodward, OK; sister-in-law, Mary Billings of Oklahoma City, OK; many friends of Lexington, Georgetown and Frankfort; nieces and nephews from Oklahoma City, Woodward, Oklahoma; Pasadena, CA and Boston, MA; and also survived by Robert's close friend, Randy Allen, and granddog, Niles, whom he loved very much. He was preceded in death by his parents, C. M. and Jesse Jenkins; one sister, Eleanor Jenkins Hamilton of Georgetown; many aunts, uncles and other family members. He had a gentle soul and wonderful sense of humor, and treated everyone with compassion and respect. Mel leaves a legacy of kindness that will continue to inspire. Everybody liked Mel Jenkins. Pallbearers will be Doug Parke, John Vickers, Don True, Ron Hack, Larry Cox, and Dr. Eugene Harrell. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Keystone Class at the First Baptist Church, Classmates from Georgetown, East Frankfort Kiwanis members, and Ladies from the pot luck group. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 201 St. Clair Street, Frankfort, Kentucky. Online condolences may be shared via the online guest book at www.harrodbrothersfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Colby Melville Jenkins Jr.

January 5, 1932 - June 6, 2009