John Willie Jenkins, a retired Bethlehem Steel worker and an active Jehovah's Witness, died of heart failure March 13 at his Northwood home. He was 76.
Mr. Jenkins, the son of a farmer, was born and raised in Forkland, Ala., where he graduated from high school.
After marrying his teenage sweetheart, the former Virginia Coleman, in 1951, the couple moved to Baltimore the next year, and he took a job at Sparrows Point.
After serving in the Army as a radio operator from 1953 to 1955, he returned to Bethlehem Steel, where he became a maintenance worker in the tin mill. He retired in 1996.
Mr. Jenkins, who became a Jehovah's Witness in 1985, was an active member of the Ednor Gardens and Northwood congregations.
As a ministerial servant, he oversaw the literature counter at the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Northwood until becoming ill.
He would also meet other members daily and conduct a field ministry, family members said.
Mr. Jenkins enjoyed cruises, traveling and cooking.
"He thought he was a better cook than me, but he did make a pretty good pot roast," said his wife of 56 years.
Services have been held.
Also surviving are five sons, John W. Jenkins Jr., Ronald Jenkins, Ray Jenkins, Stephon Jenkins and Michael Jenkins, all of Baltimore; three daughters, Virginia Jenkins and Sandra Jenkins, both of Baltimore, and Lori Millsap of Cornelia, Ga.; four brothers, George Jenkins, Charlie Jenkins and Walter Jenkins, all of Baltimore, and James Jenkins of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; a sister, Carrie Mae Jenkins of Tuscaloosa; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.