Robert “Robbie” Austin Jenkins Sr., 76, of Camden, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born in Camden, SC and was the son of the late Mary Ellen McDowell Jenkins and Joseph Wilson Jenkins, Sr. The son of an Army officer, Robbie grew up on the move, with stops in Alaska, Georgia, and Camden. Robbie graduated from Camden High School and The Citadel and had a successful career as an insurance agent. He served five years in the National Guard. Robbie loved to snow ski, a skill he perfected as a child in Alaska and shared with his own family during winter weekends. Baseball was his favorite sport, and he was a multigenerational coach to his children and grandchildren. In fall, he spent most Saturdays in the forest and the field, hunting with friends. Music was a guiding force for Robbie, and he enjoyed beach music, brass music, and jazz music. Lake Wateree was the place where his favorite family memories were made as a child, a father, and a grandfather. Robbie was a devoted husband and dedicated father. Once retired, he became a consummate reader of fiction books. Most of all, Robbie loved his grandchildren, and his presence is obvious and profound in their lives today.
Robbie is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn Griggs Jenkins; his children, Austin Jenkins and Caroline McInnis, five grandchildren, Robert, Mary Kathryn and Alex Jenkins and Charlotte and James McInnis; sisters-in-law, Sally Jenkins and Polly Enders. He adopted his son-in-law, Jim McInnis, and daughter-in-law, Karin Jenkins, as his own. Robbie was predeceased by his parents and three brothers – Joseph Wilson Jenkins, Jr., John McDowell Jenkins, Sr., and William Charles Jenkins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church, 1206 Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC 29020. A visitation will follow at the same location in the fellowship hall. The family would like to thank the good people at the Legacy of Camden, RetireEase, and Prisma Health Hospice, all of whom made this transition more peaceful. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church (lsumc.net) or The Citadel Foundation (foundation.citadel.edu).