He was a lifelong Sanford citizen and was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He was also a Baptist.
He is survived by his mother, Inez Jelks of Sanford; brothers, Leonard (Carolyn) Jelks of Powder Springs and Jacob Jelks of Washington D.C.; and sisters, Dorothy Jelks of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Mary Elizabeth Jelks of Ft. Washington, Md.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 5 at 2:30 p.m. at Allen Chapel AME Church with Dr. Ronald Merthie officiating and Rev. Valarie J. Houston delivering the eulogy. Visitation was held Friday, May 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary.
Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary, Sanford, is in charge of all arrangements.