Jan.
27, 1953 - Dec. 27, 2009SOUTH BEND - Carl Jenkins, 56, of South Bend, passed away on Sunday, December 27th, in Memorial Hospital. He was born on January 27, 1953, in Cleveland, Miss., to Henry and Gracie M. (Reid) Jenkins, and moved to South Bend that same year. He was a 1971 graduate of LaSalle High School and earned an athletic scholarship to Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL, where he played running back on the football team. One of his proudest moments was when he tried out for the Philadelphia Eagles. His dream to play in the NFL was dashed when an injury prevented him from going to a scheduled tryout with the Cleveland Browns. Carl loved music and often gathered with his friends to impersonate The Temptations, one of Motown's legendary groups. He is survived by his mother of South Bend; a daughter, Thomasa Coley of Atlanta; three sons, Sha-Keno of Talanta, Tah-Shai and James, both of South Bend; 10 grandchildren; three sisters, Grace (Richard) Broadway and Valerie, both of South Bend, Colette (Darryl) Parker of Warren, OH; a brother, Tommy "Floyd" (Della) of South Bend; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. He was preceded in death by his father, and two brothers, Henry Jr. and Willie "Charles." A celebration of Carl's life will be held at 1 p.m. today, December 30th, in Alford's Mortuary. The visitation will take place one hour prior to service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where messages of bereavement may be e-mailed to alfordsmortuary@comcast.net, c/o the Jenkins family.