Hendley Francis Jelks Papers

Collection

Identifier: MU-PP-0058

Staff Only

Hendley F. Jelks Collection Finding Aid

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Scope and Contents

The Hendley F. Jelks collection contains book drafts, photographs, sermon notes, papers, and other materials from Rev. Jelks’ career.

Dates

Creation: 1909-1980

Creator

Jelks (Family)
Jelks, Hendley Francis, 1890-1980 (Person)

Rights Statement

To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the World Wide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult the reference archivist to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation to the original.

Biographical / Historical

Hendley Francis Jelks was a white man born on October 15, 1890, in Hawkinsville, Georgia. He was the son of John Joseph and Temperance Orlena Oliver Jelks. His father was a captain in the Confederate army, and his mother died when he was only one year old. He married Flynt Golden on July 5, 1910. She had attended Shorter College in Rome, Georgia. The couple had three children: Dellena; Hendley F., Jr.; and Ruth. Hendley F., Jr. died during infancy.

Jelks served as a Baptist minister for 40 years (1920-1960). He was called to preach in 1920 at age 30 and ordained by Blue Springs Church in Pulaski County, Georgia. He preached for one year before realizing he needed further education. Jelks thus graduated from Mercer University in 1925 after completing high school and college courses. Throughout his career, he preached at several Baptist churches in Georgia and Florida. He also wrote books and served in local organizations and associations. He retired from ministry in 1951 and passed away on April 9, 1980.