Robert Jenkins

Robert (Bob) Edwin Jenkins passed into the Lord’s hands on Tuesday November 16, 2021 surrounded by his family at his home in Hickory, NC.

Born on April 27, 1962, at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC, Bob was the son of Eva Joyce Jenkins and the late Gilbert Keith Jenkins, Sr. Bob grew up in a military family, and as a youth, was taught by his dad to be a hard worker and to treat others, no matter their color or creed, with respect. Encouraged by his parents to excel in athletics, Bob was offered a college basketball scholarship, and even though he didn’t pursue this direction, he was known later as an ‘undercover athlete’ in variety of sports. Bob enjoyed a competitive game of golf with his brothers whom he dearly loved. Over the years, Bob’s family enjoyed watching games on TV together and cheering on their favorite teams. Whether watching sports or playing, Bob had a passion to be the best, and as a natural, gifted athlete, he enjoyed the challenge of a good competition, win or lose.
This passion to be the best was demonstrated in his career in the corrugated paper industry. He began his career as a young man at Union Camp in Georgia and went on to work in this industry throughout the southeast in variety of positions, from general helper to plant manager. He continued his career in Hickory at Carolina Container, achieving the position of superintendent through his hard work and dedication to excellence. Known for his strong work ethic and his ability to train others to perform at a high level, Bob was highly respected by his employers and co-workers.

Bob met Kathleen, the love of his life, in 2008, and they married later that year and moved to Hickory. Although they struggled through a period of addiction, the Lord rescued them and redeemed and restored their lives, giving them a second chance at building a life together. Bob described Kathleen as ‘the most important thing that ever happened in my life.” Bob and Kathleen began attending Discovery Church where they found Godly friends and fellowship. As a couple, Bob and Kathleen reached out to others to invite them to Discovery and to help them in their struggles. They later joined the church, became active in various church initiatives, and Bob was baptized there in 2013.

Bob is preceded in death by his father Gilbert Keith Jenkins, Sr. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Carl Jenkins of Hickory, NC; mother Eva Joyce Jenkins of Suwannee, Georgia; son Private First Class Robert Edwin Jenkins, Jr., his wife Kaitlin, and newborn grandson Robert Jack Jenkins of Fort Bragg, NC; stepson Corporal Cameran Carl-Jacques of Fort Drum, NY; brothers Gilbert Keith Jenkins, Jr. and wife Tammy; and Tracey Lee Jenkins and wife Kim from Georgia, as well as a host of extended family including in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who were an important part of his life.

Throughout his life, Bob was an advocate for those needing a second chance and treated everyone in his path with fairness and respect. In the last stages of his illness, Bob was intentional in his efforts to draw closer to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in the end, he had become a man of deep humility.
A Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 pm Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Discovery Church, 2201 Startown Rd., Newton, NC, officiated by Reverend Smith Sharpe. The family will receive friends from 12-1:00 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Discovery Church Building Fund.