Obituary for Elijah "Eli" Jenkins
Elijah Steven Jenkins entered this world in his own stubborn way on March 8, 2000. He was born at St. Edward Mercy Medical in Fort Smith, Arkansas to David and Laura Jenkins surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins from both side of the family. Eli was raised in Rudy. He attended kindergarten thru 12th grade in Alma Public Schools where he graduated in 2018. Eli loved sports; he played baseball, basketball and soccer growing up; but football was his passion. He played football in the Alma Sports Program from first grade thru the twelfth. From about the fifth grade on you always knew when Eli was on the field by his bright pink socks he wore to support his mom during her fight with breast cancer and to always have her with him after her fight. Eli attended UAFS for one year after high school, he was always a good student, but after that year he decided he was ready to start his life. He went to work at CoLinx with his cousin, Jesse. From CoLinx he moved on to Bekaert. Eli left this world on Friday, September 1, 2023. Those of us left behind know he had a huge welcoming committee. First hugs went to his mom, Laura, next in line would have been his papa, Dale Jenkins and his uncle and namesake, Steven Jenkins. Then, his papaw, Jim Lincks waiting to introduce him to his granny Shirley Lincks. We are sure there is still celebrating and hugging going on today.
Those left on earth to keep his memory and hold tight to our love of Eli are his dad, David Jenkins, his mom-o Carolyn Jenkins, his aunts Connie Jenkins, Linda Ellison; his uncle Steve Lincks and wife Libby; Eli’s first best friends, playmates and his forever memory keepers Jesse and Scotty Croy; his big cousins Garrett and Marin McKee, Megan and Shelby (Buffy) Lincks and John Ellison; his special big cousin Sandi Turner, his extra grandma Cindy Jackson and more second and third cousins, friends and chosen family than could ever fit in one newspaper.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Roselawn Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. Family visitation will be Friday, September 8, 2023 from 5 to 7 PM at Ocker Funeral Home 700 Jefferson Street Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be Jesse Croy, Scotty Croy, Jacob Jenkins, Sam Gallardo, Justin Pennington and Jayden Pennington.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jacob and Jesse Pennington, Devin Barry, Brandon Smith Zach Oliver and Nick Archer.
In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to: Susan G. Coleman 3324 South M Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 or American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) ATTN: Michael Swyer 199 Water Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10038.
Those left on earth to keep his memory and hold tight to our love of Eli are his dad, David Jenkins, his mom-o Carolyn Jenkins, his aunts Connie Jenkins, Linda Ellison; his uncle Steve Lincks and wife Libby; Eli’s first best friends, playmates and his forever memory keepers Jesse and Scotty Croy; his big cousins Garrett and Marin McKee, Megan and Shelby (Buffy) Lincks and John Ellison; his special big cousin Sandi Turner, his extra grandma Cindy Jackson and more second and third cousins, friends and chosen family than could ever fit in one newspaper.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Roselawn Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. Family visitation will be Friday, September 8, 2023 from 5 to 7 PM at Ocker Funeral Home 700 Jefferson Street Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be Jesse Croy, Scotty Croy, Jacob Jenkins, Sam Gallardo, Justin Pennington and Jayden Pennington.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jacob and Jesse Pennington, Devin Barry, Brandon Smith Zach Oliver and Nick Archer.
In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to: Susan G. Coleman 3324 South M Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 or American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) ATTN: Michael Swyer 199 Water Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10038.