Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

John Emmitt Jenkins, age 80, of Elizabethton, TN, went home to be with his Lord Friday, December 22, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Sullivan County to the late Houston and Ida Jenkins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Willard Caudill.

John retired from Eastman Chemical Company after 32 years. He was a wonderful husband and father. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren every chance he got. John loved going to their ballgames and would light up in joy when he saw his grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rita Pierce Jenkins, of the home; son, Todd Jenkins and wife Sherry, of Gray; daughter, Kristi Street and husband Joe, of Hampton; sisters, Betty Taylor and husband, Benny and Nellie Jenkins, all of Bluff City and Linda Jackson, of Carterville, GA; grandchildren, Jacob Street, Landen Street, Weston Street, Josh Steadman and wife Larissa, Chris Steadman and several nieces, nephews, special cousins and in-laws also survive.

A service to celebrate the life of John will be held at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Reverend Shane Waters officiating. The family will receive friends between the hours of 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM prior to the service on Wednesday.

The graveside service and interment will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Landen Street, Weston Street, Joe Street, Randal Lewis, Leonard Richardson, and Todd Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers are Jacob Street and Ed Patton.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Amedysis Hospice, special neighbors Steve and Carolyn Minton, and all those who provided care over the years.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home-Riverside Chapel, 211 North Riverside, Elizabethton, TN 37643, is honored to serve the family of John Emmitt Jenkins. Office phone (423) 542-2232; Obituary line information (423) 543-4917.