Mary "Louise" Jenkins lived a life of love, faith and integrity for 89 years. Born on July 28, 1936, in Laurel, Mississippi, she passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025, at her residence in Perkinston, Mississippi. To know Louise was to love her. Her godly, generous and gentle spirit touched everyone she met. Her life was a quiet, steadfast testimony of devotion to Jesus and a longing for His return.

Louise received an Associate of Arts degree from Jones County Junior College (1955) in Ellisville, MS, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi Southern College (USM) (1957) in Hattiesburg, MS. Upon graduating from USM, she was a home economist for Mississippi Power Company in Laurel, MS. During this time, she met her husband and the love of her life, Ernest D. "Ed" Jenkins. Married on November 28, 1959, they held a marriage rooted in faith, love, and unwavering commitment.

Louise and Ed began married life in Laurel, where both of their daughters were born. In 1972, they moved to Odessa, Texas, where she was a devoted stay-at-home mother and ran a successful home business teaching sewing classes. Later, they returned to Laurel—always home in their hearts—where she resumed teaching sewing, caring for her college-age daughters, teaching Precept Bible studies, and lovingly maintaining their home. When Ed was diagnosed with cancer, they moved to Hattiesburg to be closer to medical care. Louise lovingly cared for him in his final years, and his passing left a void no one else could fill. As "Nana," she cherished her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teaching them how to cook and sew and watching Nick at Nite with them.

In her final years, Louise moved to Perkinston, where she found peace and beauty in the woods and pond she fondly called "Idyllwood." Surrounded by nature and family, she lived her final chapter with the same grace and faith that defined her entire life.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Opie Sumrall and Bernice Breazeale Sumrall of Ovett, and her beloved husband, Ernest Jenkins, who died in 2003.

She is survived by her two daughters, Jan Jenkins of Perkinston, Mississippi, and Dale Cox and her husband David of Hernando, Mississippi. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Emily (Jordan) McGuire, Betsy (Jacob) Neal, Julie (Jacob) Wilkins, Lucy (Dillon) Harper, Ben (Rachel) Cox, Rachel (Luke) Walker, Olivia Cox, Sam (Tori) Cox, and Joe Cox; eleven great-grandchildren: Caroline, Cooper, Clayton, and Campbell Cox; Lily, Rosie and Annie Wilkins; Coen and Aubrey McGuire; and Eden and Liam Harper; and two sisters: Tommye Rowell and Fran Minor.

Pallbearers will be Jordan McGuire, Jacob Neal, Dillon Harper, Jacob Wilkins, Ben Cox, Sam Cox, Joe Cox, and Luke Walker.

Mary Louise Jenkins will be dearly missed. Her life was a light that reflected the love of Christ, and while our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we find comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her Savior and her beloved Ed. Her absence leaves a deep ache in our hearts, but her legacy continues in those who called her Mom, Nana and friend.

Her family and friends will gather for a service at the chapel of First Baptist Church in Laurel, MS, on October 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.