Lee Dew Jenkins was born on Sept. 3, 1943, in Minerva. His parents were Paul A. and Ertha Lee Jenkins.
Lee graduated from Rockdale High School in 1962.
After high school, he went to work for Alcoa and later as a mechanic for Dallas Power & Light, which later became TU Electric. Later in life, he worked in the oilfield and for Rockdale Building Materials Center.
He loved going on dealer trades for the local Chevrolet dealership. There was no place you could send him that he didn’t know his own best way of getting there and back; always telling you in detail how to get there and back. And certainly, stopping to eat at a place he knew of!
Lee married the love of his life, Frances Thompson, in 1965. Lee and Frances enjoyed 57 years together until her death on Jan. 6, 2023.
They had two sons, Lee D Jenkins and Ryan Justin Jenkins, and his wife Chermi.
Lee and Frances enjoyed socializing with friends over dinner and enjoying playing games and poker with friends.
Lee was preceded in death by his wife, parents and brother Paul A Jenkins Jr.
He leaves behind his sister in-law Linda Jenkins; grandchildren K’Lee (Eric) Reynolds, Crandall “Pistol Pete” (Jess) Jenkins, Victoria Jenkins and Ansley (Michael) Halleck.
He was proud of his great-grandchildren, Lynzee Jade, Lake Doss, Ally Rae and Addy June Reynolds; Brewster Lee Halleck and Jameson “Snickle Fritz” Jenkins.
Lee also enjoyed spending time with many friends, especially Troy and Cherith Satterfield, and their children Jenna, Brooke, Christopher, Chelsea and Baylee.
He also enjoyed going on quests with Keith Lyons and talking about gardening and cooking with Naaji Lyons next door.
Lee enjoyed watching westerns, especially John Wayne, and getting to go to restaurants or often even a little shopping.
A celebration of life was held at Minerva Community Center on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Minerva Cemetery, 8525 County Road 306 Rockdale, TX 76567 or the Minerva Community Center, 3266 County Road 232, Rockdale, TX 76567.