Vernal Ray Jenkins, 71, of Neptune, New Jersey, was born in Bethel, North Carolina on January 18, 1944 to the late Martha Keel Jenkins and Harold Linden Jenkins.  He passed away on August 30, 2015, at the home of his favorite brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Jeanette Jenkins, in Neptune, after a brief illness.

He was the seventh eldest of ten children.  Ray, as he was so fondly called, attended the Dearborn School in Roxbury, Massachusetts.  In 1966, he moved to Neptune, New Jersey to be with his family.

Ray was a maintenance worker and took great pride in his work.  He enjoyed being at all Family Reunions and fellowshipping with the family.  He also loved children, music, dancing, football, and the daily comforts of life.

Ray followed the footsteps of his mother, Martha Keel Jenkins, and became a member of St. Stephens AME Zion Methodist Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

He was predeceased by his wife, Joanne Summers Jenkins; parents, Martha Keel Jenkins and Harold Linden Jenkins; sister, Barbara J. Taft; and brother, Harold L. Jenkins, Jr.

Ray leaves to cherish his fond memories 4 stepchildren, Valerie, Maria, Anthony of South, NJ, and Dwayne Summers of Asbury Park, NJ; 4 sisters, Beatrice Willis of Dorchester, MA, Ann Ridley (Johnny) of Perris, CA, Brenda J. Terrell and Joan Willis of Neptune, NJ; 3 brothers, Fred Jenkins of Boston, MA, Jesse Jenkins, Sr. (Jeanette) of Neptune, NJ, and Jimmy Jenkins (Ursala) of Neptune, NJ; a very special niece, Tawanda Cooper; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.