David Henderson Jenkins, 81, went to be with the Lord on January 27, 2021.
His business was the U.S. Department of Agriculture and later real estate, but his heart was with the First Baptist Church of Indianola and his family.
David was born is Sallis, MS, on February 28, 1939, to Monnie and Buford Jenkins. He was the oldest of three brothers. He attended school in Sallis and graduated from Holmes Community College in 1959 and Delta State University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Graduate studies in Administration were completed at Mississippi State University in 1964.
Always interested in athletics, he played football for five years at Sallis School. Later he transferred to Holmes Agricultural High School where he played three years of Junior College football. He coached football, basketball, and track, and taught history and math at Eudora High School, Eudora, AR, and at Moorhead High School in Moorhead, MS.
Summer jobs David enjoyed included measuring land for the ASCS, delivering school buses to Columbia, SC, on behalf of Superior Coach Corp. located in Kosciusko, and working on the farm for his uncle Josh Owen.
In 1965, he accepted a position as Jasper County ASCS director in Bay Springs, MS. In 1966, he became the CED of the Sunflower County ASCS office and continued until 1987. At that time, he became the district director for the Dept. of Agriculture. His district was one of the largest workloads in Mississippi and he was known for his honesty, fairness, and reliability in dealing with the farmer.
After serving 32 years with the Dept. of Agriculture, he retired in 1997. At that time, he became a broker/appraiser with Hutch Realty Company and later an independent realtor/appraiser.
David was a past president of Indianola Lions Club for three terms; past Chairman of the Agriculture Committee for the Indianola Chamber of Commerce; lifetime member and a past president of the Delta State University Alumni Association; member of area board of Realtors; and past president of the MS Association of County Office Employees.
Because of his interest in athletics and young people, he coached Indianola Boys Baseball for three years and later served as Commissioner of the Indianola Boys Baseball Association for 10 years. He served 28 years as a football and basketball referee in both the public and private athletic associations.
First Baptist Church of Indianola held a special place in David’s heart. As a deacon, Chairman of the Deacon Board, a lifetime deacon, and a trustee, he served his Lord and Savior. He was on numerous committees and he chaired the Building and Grounds committee for over 35 years.
Golf and tennis were special pastimes. He was a member of the Senior Golfers Association and enjoyed playing doubles with tennis friends.
After the death of his first wife, Linda Love Dodd of Sallis, he married Helen Byars Fisackerly, formerly of Columbus and Sunflower. His children include Cheryl Skelton (Robin) of Corinth, Gina Pearson (Dusty) of Batesville; stepchildren, Grace Anne Morrison (Cooper) of Germantown, TN, Claude Fisackerly of Philadelphia, MS, Florence Brooks (Burt) of Richmond, VA; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and brother, Ray Jenkins (Johnnie) of Meridian.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Linda Love Dodd Jenkins; daughter, Judy Whitfield; and one brother, Jerry Jenkins.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Sallis Cemetery in Sallis, MS, with Dr. Guy Burke officiating.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 366, Indianola, MS 38751; Delta State University, Box 3104, Cleveland, MS 38732; Indianola Academy, PO Box 967, Indianola, MS 38751; or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burton Funeral Home in Indianola.
