Marple G. Jenkins, 80, of Gassaway, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 9, 2019 at Ruby Memorial Hospital.

He was born November 24, 1938 in Gilmer County to the late Claude and Artie Crinda Mowery Jenkins.

For most of Marple’s working life he was a timber cutter and he also mowed and  did weed eating for others.  His hobbies were fishing, camping, and playing BINGO.  He loved to be in his garden and he canned at harvest time.  Marple was a happy soul.  He never knew a stranger.  Little kids loved him as he was a kid at heart himself.  He took wonderful care of his cats and his sidekick puppy, “Snowball”.  In his earlier years he loved going to watch his son race cars.  Marple also attended church.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude; brothers, Carl, Kenneth “KD”, Eddie, and Lee; sisters, Arene, Delphie, Onabell, and Jenny.

Marple is survived by his son, Lester Jenkins, and wife, Amy of Gassaway; daughters, Sandra Carper and husband, Don of Gassaway, Mamie Fields and husband, Mike of Frametown; brothers, Jack Jenkins Sr. and wife, Glenna “Louise” of Belfont and Earl Jenkins of Exchange; grandchildren, Jonathan, Samantha (Randy), AJ (Andy), Cassie (Scott), JD (Solitta); great grandchildren, Abby, Heidi, Sophie, Hayli, JD, Wyatt, and Vanessa, many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 1 P.M. Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway with Reverend Shorty Greenleaf officiating.  Interment will be in the Marks Family Cemetery, Normantown.

Friends may call two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.

Dinner to follow at the Gassaway Community Building.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.