He was born in Eugene to Isaac Anderson Jenkins and Cora Alice Bond Jenkins. He was married on January 17, 1945 in Ft. Baker, California to Alicia Lucille Sizemore who died on March 27, 1980. He was married on September 29, 1980 in Jefferson City to Veronica Elizabeth Frank Iven who died on October 5, 2002. Survivors include four sons, Hershel I. Jenkins, Jr., O'Fallon; Richard K. Jenkins, Brandon, Florida; Randall G. Jenkins, Jefferson City; and David A. Jenkins, Conneautville, Pennsylvania; one step-son, Robert J. Iven, Jefferson City; one step-daughter, Joann C. Thessen, Taos; fifteen grandchldren; fifteen step-grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchldren; and twenty-nine step-great-grandchldren; one brother, Tandy A. Jenkins, Eldon; and two sisters, Eula M. Allen, Oakland City, Indiana; and Wanda L. Albertson, Belton. He was employed for twenty-five years with the Missouri Department of Corrections, retiring in 1981. He was a member of Mount Herman Baptist Church, Olean; Fraternal Order of Eagles; American Legion; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and past-president of the Miller County Fox Hunters Association. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Church Improvement Fund. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.