Ocala civil rights trailblazer and community leader Whitfield Jenkins made no apologies when championing the causes of individuals and social movements. He was steadfast in his beliefs.
One of Jenkins' children, Rose Jenkins, told the Star-Banner on July 29 that her father died at 8:40 a.m. on July 28. He was at his home with her and her mother, Loretta Pompey Jenkins.
Loretta Jenkins, former local branch president of the NAACP and past principal at Fessenden Elementary School, told a Star-Banner reporter: "I'm doing OK."
Rose Jenkins said her father leaves behind three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A fourth child, a daughter, died in 2025, she said.
Family members said Jenkins had been ailing for some time. He was 85. Jenkins' 86th birthday would have been Sept. 19.
Jenkins' wife said her husband wanted good for everyone. She said he was a warrior in his fight for justice, and was respected for his strength. She said her husband wanted to make life better for everyone, and his stance wasn't liked by some.
Though she said she felt scared, she doesn't recall receiving any death threats.
She said her husband fought for hiring and promotions in local governments, law enforcement, education and the community.
"He took a stand against it," she said about the hiring and promotional practices shown by some leaders in Ocala/Marion County.
Rose Jenkins said she's going to miss her father. She said she had a father whom she admired, and he was dedicated to his family, as well as the community.
Both mother and daughter said Jenkins was born and raised in Zuber, located off County Road 326, in a one-room shack with his three brothers. They said his mother died when he was a child and he was raised by his father.
Jenkins' death has touched many in the community who admired and appreciated the man.
School Board member Rev. Eric Cummings said on July 29 that "God has called home a giant of a man in service, stature and commitment to his community. He was a true fighter for the common man, and for our community."
Hailing him as "a gift and a mentor to a lot of us," Cummings said Jenkins always encouraged people to be their best, and was always positive.
Cummings said every time he saw Jenkins, an Omega Psi Phi member, and asked how he was doing, his reply was "A+."
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano said Jenkins was a sweet, kind and accommodating person to him and others. Marciano said Jenkins was a great man for the community, a great leader, a caring man.
He said Jenkins fought for what was right and will be greatly missed.
Ocala City Council President Ire Bethea Sr. said: "On July 28, 2026, Ocala/Marion County lost a true legend. Mr. Whitfield Jenkins was a tireless advocacy for civil rights."
The council president said Jenkins was "a man of unwavering principles, a devoted father, grandfather and a steadfast champion for our community."
"Mr. Jenkins dedicated his life to ensure that all people, men, women, boys and girls, were treated with fairness, dignity and justice," Bethea said.
Bethea said Jenkins left an enduring mark on the community that will continue to inspire for generations to come.
To the Jenkins family, Bethea said: "We extend our deepest condolences and heart felt prayers to his family. We hope they find comfort in knowing that his life made a profound difference in the lives of so many."
Bethea said although Jenkins "has gone on to his eternal rest, his legacy will live on." He said "he (Jenkins) will be truly missed but never be forgotten."
Reggie Landers, who knew Jenkins for more than 40 years, said Jenkins "was a stalwart of our community," and "his work was A+"
Landers said what he will miss about Jenkins is his wisdom and knowledge of Ocala/Marion County, and his optimism "of how we can be a better community."
Henry DeGeneste said Jenkins was a pioneer for Ocala/Marion County and was deeply involved in the community.
As NAACP president, DeGeneste said, Jenkins' leadership and know-how impacted the community. He understood what was needed for the city and the county.
He said Jenkins was a standup person who was respected by youngsters, the middle-age and senior citizens. DeGeneste said Jenkins was a good and kind leader.
Former Sheriff Ed Dean said he considered Jenkins a good friend. He said Jenkins was the epitome of an excellent leader, particularly of the African-American community.
Dean said everyone looked forward to his take on pressing issues facing society. He said Jenkins will be missed.
The current local NACCP president, Jerone Gamble, said Jenkins was one of the greatest fighters this county has ever known. He said Jenkins led the civil rights movement locally, statewide and nationally for decades.
Gamble said they will "always be indebted to him (Jenkins)."
"He was a great guy, who was well known and respected."
County Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes said: "Mr. Jenkins was a true pillar of the community. He consistently and tirelessly worked to make a difference in the legal profession, believing that equal opportunity and justice should be available to all. His dedication, integrity, and commitment to serving others will be remembered, and he will be deeply and sincerely missed."
The judge sent her heartfelt condolences to the Jenkins family and their friends.
In March 2025, the Ocala City Council named a street after Jenkins. Northwest 24th Road, between Northwest 20th Street and Northwest 21st Avenue, has the honorary title of "Whitfield Jenkins Road."
Jenkins' wife sent the city information in support of the application for recognition. Her documentation said, in part, "This named person is a longtime, active outstanding leader in Ocala, Marion County, and State of Florida. His many ventures in the areas of Civil and Equal Rights activism, voter rights and empowerment and many other areas pertaining to equal and human justice for all people, is far above reproach."
Jenkins graduated from Fessenden High School in 1959 and earned bachelor's and master's degrees: an undergraduate degree in health physical education from Florida A&M University and a master's in criminal justice from Rollins College.
Jenkins played football at FAMU. The team won two National Negro Championships. His team's record: 47-3.
At home, Jenkins worked for nearly 30 years at the Florida Department of Corrections. He also was a Marion County teacher and adjunct instructor at the College of Central Florida. Before working at the prison, he was one of the first Black teachers at Osceola Middle School.
He served as president of the local NAACP branch and also was third and first vice president of the Florida State Conference NAACP. Jenkins further served as a board member of the Ocala/Marion County Boys & Girls Club, Inc. and was founder/president of the Liberation/Ocala/Marion County African American Council, Inc.
There were troubling times, as well. In 2007, the Ocala Leased Housing Corp. board removed Jenkins from the board after he was accused of making multiple unauthorized withdrawals, totaling more than $5,000, from the nonprofit's bank account. He said the card usage was inadvertent and a mistake. Jenkins repaid the money. He was charged with grand theft and resolved the case with pretrial intervention, according to court records.
In his lifetime, Jenkins was presented with more than 75 plaques and awards. One of them was the Freedom Fighter of the Century from the Marion County branch of the NAACP.
In 2025, when Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings came to Ocala to talk about his run for governor, Jenkins was among 10 men – the others were Alonzo Braddon, the Rev. Dr. Tommy L. Brooks, Jerome Brown, Berry Davis III, James Griffin, Benny Harris, Dorsey Miller, Ray Nunn and Ernest Parker – named 2025 legacy honorees.
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Cummings was at the function, which was held at CF. He talked about the men's "unwavering commitment of excellence, brotherhood and service."
At that event, Jenkins was presented with the keys to the city by Ocala City Council members Barry Mansfield and Ire Bethea Sr.
Another Jenkins accolade: He was named an Unsung Hero in 2016 during an One Ocala One America Racial Harmony Breakfast. The award recognized Jenkins for his decades of tireless work for equality.
Jenkins, in his speech, thanked his wife and family for their support. He said: "I started in 1984, and it's been a long journey. Yes, the community is making progress."
Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Civil rights leader, community activist Whitfield Jenkins dies at 85