Steve Michael Jenkins

Steve Michael Jenkins Sr. “Mike”, age 74, of Powell, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, after a 2-year battle against cancer. Mike was a man of faith and a life-long member of Black Oak Heights Baptist Church.

Mike, a life-long resident of Powell, Tennessee was born on September 6, 1950, to Carl Russell Sr. and Kathryn Edith (Cole) Jenkins. Mike was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He was best known for his quick wit and joke telling, which he undoubtedly inherited from his father and passed on to his children.

Mike graduated from Powell High School in 1968 before joining the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served from 1969 until 1975. Following his military service, Mike built a long and well-respected career as a welder, sheet metal worker, and later a Staff Engineer at the Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), where he spent 33 years before retiring in 2013. At ORNL Mike worked on the Seawolf-class submarine nuclear propulsion development project. His time in the Army and at ORNL instilled a deep sense of patriotism and love for America which lasted his entire life.

Mike was passionate about his family, especially his grandchildren Kylie, Cory, Weston, and Neyla. Nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than time with them. Mike was an avid golfer and had a special love for Corvettes. Many would consider these hobbies but to him they were more than that, they were a part of his being and resulted in special, life-long friendships with Byron Cooper and Bill Johnson (and numerous others). Mike will be remembered for many things like his love for his family, his sense of humor, and his hole-in-one on the 8th hole (Par 4) at Dead Horse Lake Golf Course.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife Missy Jenkins; children and grandchildren: son Steve Jenkins Jr. (Jennifer), daughter Kristy Jenkins Hopewell (John), granddaughter Kylie, grandson Cory, stepdaughters Tiffany Andrews (Jeremy) and Brittany Headrick, grandson Weston, and granddaughter Neyla; brothers Carl Jenkins Jr. (Deborah) and William “Bill” Jenkins (Kim); as well as many extended family members and friends. Mike is preceded in death by his parents Carl Sr. and Kathryn Jenkins and his cherished dog Baby.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday July 3, 2025, at 7:00pm at Mynatt Funeral Home Powell Chapel, located at 2000 Powell Drive Powell, TN. Friends may visit with the family starting at 5pm until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Folds of Honor, www.tennesse@foldsofhonor.com which provides scholarships for children of fallen soldiers. In honor of Mike, if able, please feel free to join his family and friends in driving your favorite classic car or corvette to the service.

Mike’s life touched so many, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Though he has departed this earthly life, we take comfort in knowing he is resting in peace with his mother and father in the hands of God. May his memory forever bring strength and honor to all who knew him.

Mynatt Funeral Home Powell Chapel is honored to serve the family of Steve Michael "Mike" Jenkins, Sr.