Samuel Jenkins Jr. was born July 14, 1944, in Bonneau, South Carolina. He was the seventh of eleven siblings born to the late Samuel and Catherine Jenkins.

Sam grew up in South Carolina and was raised in a Christian home dedicated to instilling morals and values in their children. Sam received his formal education through Bonneau Public School System and in 1963 he graduated from Russellville High School, St. Stephen, South Carolina.

After high school, he spent a short time in Orangeburg, South Carolina barbering; a trade he learned from his older brother Christopher.

After relocating to New Haven, he worked at Pratt and Whitney for a short stint before going to work at Mr. Eddie’s Barbershop. He would work there for over two decades before achieving his dream of opening his own barbershop which he did in 1991.

He ran Sam’s Unisex Barbershop at 119 Bassett Street for over 32 years before his passing.

Sam married the love of his life Annie Barber in 1968. They had one son Dexter, and enjoyed a 32-year union before Ann’s passing in 2000.

Quiet and laid back by nature, Sam was very simplistic in the way he lived his life. He was a Mason, loved music, his white truck, dressing nice, and being with his family. He often said that “Family is Everything!!”.

Sam leaves to cherish his memory, his son Dexter Jenkins (Kendra); grandchildren, Danielle, Cameron, and Sydney; siblings, Christopher (Julie) Jenkins, Billy (Gloria) Jenkins, Charles (Claytonia) Jenkins,
Henry (Sharon) Jenkins Sr., Mary (Bobby) Prioleau-Anderson, Ruth (Thaddeus) Williams and Naomi J. James (Moses-deceased); along with a host of nieces and nephews.

Samuel was predeceased by his wife Annie Jenkins, parents Samuel and Catherine Jenkins, sister Carrie Mae Jenkins and brothers Peter Jenkins, St. Julian Guest.

A celebration of Mr. Jenkins’ life and legacy will be held Friday, August 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s UFWB Church, 400 Dixwell Ave., New Haven. A viewing will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. The burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.  The service will be livestreamed at: https://fb.me/e/1bQyTW9LJ