[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 215 (Tuesday, December 14, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1362-E1363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ELDER LOVELL JEROME JENKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 14, 2021

  Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
legacy of my cousin, Elder Lovell Jerome Jenkins, an eminent pastor and 
educator who passed away on December 1, 2021, at 66 years old.
  Elder Lovell Jenkins was born first of four children on December 23, 
1954, in Hope Hull, Alabama; to Dorothy Gardner Jenkins and the late 
Reverend Leroy Jenkins. After graduating with honors from Calhoun High 
School in 1971, Lovell received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics 
from Alabama State University.
  Accepting Christ into his life at a young age under the pastorate of 
his grandfather, the late Elder Tom Gardner, Jr., Lovell was a faithful 
member of Beulah Primitive Baptist Church in Hope Hull, Alabama. At 
Beulah, Lovell sang in the adult and male choruses until he received 
the divine call of God to preach the gospel.
  Lovell began his career in education serving as a math teacher and 
coach at Jefferson

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Davis High School in Montgomery, Alabama. During his 36 years of 
service at Jefferson Davis High School, Lovell taught multiple courses, 
including business, math, geometry, algebra, and calculus. While at 
Jefferson Davis High School, he also served as the Assistant Basketball 
Coach.
  In addition to his career as an educator, Lovell was also the beloved 
pastor of the Canaan Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Lowndes County, 
Alabama, where he served for twenty years. He accepted the Call of 
ministry in 2000, and after being installed as pastor of Canaan Hill 
Primitive Baptist Church in 2001, Lovell dedicated his life to teaching 
the word of God. As pastor of Canaan Hill Primitive Baptist Church, 
Lovell worked to develop the church by forming various departments and 
working with organizations throughout the Montgomery community, 
including the formation of a mission and matron department, the young 
adult choir, and a partnership with the Montgomery Biscuits for a 
family and friends day fundraiser. Also, under his leadership, Deacon 
Emory McGhee Sr. and Deacon Bobby Bennett were ordained, the Board of 
Trustees was established, restrooms were made handicap accessible, a 
new air conditioning unit was purchased, along with the purchase and 
renovation of the property behind the church itself.
  Elder Lovell Jenkins was preceded in death by his son Lovell Jermaine 
Jenkins, his father Reverend Leroy Jenkins, and his brother Jeffery 
Lydell Jenkins.
  He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Marcia Royal Jenkins, 
mother Dorothy (Eddie) Sanders; three sons Cortez (Nicole) Jenkins, 
Jawuan (Queena) Jenkins, and Llewellyn (Tarrient) Royal; three 
daughters De' Andra (Derrick) Bolling, Tamika Wray Dixon, Ann Marie 
Upthegrove; two sisters, Vanessa (Mark) Pettway and Felicia (James) 
Kelley; three sisters-in-law Norma Lyons, Nair Gibbons, Doreen 
(Michael) Layne, one brother-in-law Alston Royal; thirteen 
grandchildren Cameron, Caden, Jaxen, and Jaden Jenkins, Deja (Jarred) 
Turner, Vallet Upthegrove, Beau Harvest, Asa Bolling, Llewellyn Royal, 
Jr., Juirien Royal and Akira Williams, Maliyah and Makari Dixon; six 
great-grandchildren Jarred, Jr., Joan, Jade, Jayla, Jamya and Carter; 
four god-children, Consquelo (Kenneth) Bell, Kelvin Thomas, Jr., 
Delshaun and Faith Gatson; four aunts Negatha Holt, Gloria (Frank) 
Humphrey, Theresa (Charlie) Douglass, and Delphia Jenkins; four uncles, 
Elder Tom (Estella) Gardner, Reverend Mack (Ruby) Jenkins and Willis 
Jenkins, and John (Barbara) Gardner; six nieces Markia and Gabrielle 
Pettway, Karen Banks, Hazel Samuel, Sherilyn (Howard) Houston and 
Alexandria Johnson, devoted friends, Elder Dwight and Cheryl Johnson, 
and a host of cousins, friends and students.
  On a personal note, Lovell was my amazingly thoughtful and loving 
first cousin who radiated goodness and kindness to all he met and to 
those he loved. A man of tremendous faith whose guidance and tutelage 
of his students, parishioners and family members was an inspiration to 
all. Lovell loved his family and showed it in his smile, his laughter, 
and his generous heart. He was tender with his loving wife Marcia, 
gentle in the care of his beloved mother Dorothy, supportive to his 
devoted siblings, and instructive to his dear children. May we find 
comfort in knowing that Lovell's legacy will live on in the many lives 
that he impacted. Rest in power, my sweet cousin.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and legacy of my cousin, 
Elder Lovell Jerome Jenkins and his exemplary contributions in 
education and ministry to the Montgomery community.

                          ____________________