Joseph Miles Jenkins

Today, we gather to celebrate the new life of JOSEPH MILES JENKINS who has transitioned over to eternal life. He now resides in the presence of God our Creator and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Joseph was born on January 4th in Fort Benning, Georgia to proud parents, Jerry Miles Jenkins and Katie Lee Jenkins, who knew the importance of a good education and made sure that their son, Joseph, had challenging educational opportunities. Joseph’s early elementary years were spent at Fifth Avenue Elementary School in Columbus, Georgia. When his dad, who was in the military, was reassigned, the family moved to New York City where Joseph was enrolled in Commerce High School/Bronx High School of Science. This experience had a great impact on the rest of young Joseph’s life and fostered his love for Physics and all the Sciences. After attending the Naval Training School at Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va. and serving in the U.S. Navy, Joseph attended Howard University, Washington, D.C. where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and graduated with honors. Joseph’s experiences at Howard University were one of the highlights in his life. He would speak often of his favorite professor, Dr. Branson, who was one of his idols. Joseph went on to earn his Master’s Degree from Teachers College, Columbia Univ. in New York City and found time to earn a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Management from Loyola College. He began his career in the Baltimore City Public School System where he became not only a teacher but also a mentor to so many young people. Mr. Jenkins served on the faculty of the following schools: Druid Jr. HS, Pimlico Jr. HS. Baltimore Polytechnic Institute where he taught A Course Physics and General Physics; Lake Clifton, Sr. HS. Joseph was the First Science Department Head for the new school, Frederick Douglass, Sr. HS and became the school’s Assistant Principal in 1977. During his active teaching years, he taught special courses at The Community College of Baltimore, Coppin State University and Morgan State University. He was the recipient of several National Science Foundation Grants: Morgan State University and Virginia State University. After retiring from the Baltimore City Public Schools in 1988, Joseph became very active with the Howard Univ. Alumni Club of Baltimore which led to his attending an all classes reunion in 1990. It was here that he and another classmate, Ramona Baskerville (Tucker) met again for the first time since graduation. Both were now divorced and the courtship led to a beautiful marriage in 1992. Joseph holds special memberships in the following organizations: his beloved fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma (Alpha Chapter) Howard Univ. and Zeta Sigma Chapter (Baltimore City graduate chapter); Phi Delta Kappa (Univ. of Maryland Chapter — College Park) NAACP and the OMIK Amateur Radio Club. Until his illness, Joseph had been an active member of the Church of the Holy Trinity for over fifty years. Joseph Miles Jenkins, devoted husband, father and grandfather, leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Ramona; his devoted sons, Jerry (LaShawn) Jenkins and Theodore (Christine) Jenkins; his adored grandson, Tamorris (Shawnte) Jenkins; his favorite granddaughter, Aysia; and athletic great-grandson, Darrion; and a host of friends

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Joseph Miles Jenkins

January 4, 1926 - July 28, 2013