Cover photo for Mary Jenkins's Obituary
1923 Mary 2021

Mary Jenkins

July 19, 1923 — April 30, 2021

Asheville

Mary Frances Jenkins (nee Tietge), aka Mom/Nanny/Nanny J, 97, of Asheville, North Carolina, died on Friday, April 30, 2021 at The Laurels of Summit Ridge, Asheville, NC.  Mary Frances was born on July 19, 1923 in Ravinia, South Dakota, to the late Frank Merritt & Eva (Slasor) Tietge. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert (Bob) Malcom Jenkins, who predeceased her in 2005.

Mary Frances is survived by and lovingly remembered by her three children, Paula Garber and partner Richard Klem of Asheville, NC, Tim Field and wife Michelle of Burnsville, NC, and Margie Lindeman and husband Bill of Frederick, MD; her two step-children, Nancy Billingham and husband Jim of DesPeres, MO, and Steve Jenkins and wife Linda of Cedar Rapids, IA; one brother, Jerry Tietge of Satellite Beach, FL; twelve grandchildren, Joshua, Jesse, Justin, Ryan, Daniel, Nathan, Robert, Fernando, Veronica, Amy, Kimberly, and Lindsay; and nineteen great-grandchildren, Mackie, Ella, Caroline, Caleb, Abby, Kairi, Theia, Barrett, Mikayla, Caroline, Robert, James, Brian, Kayden, Collin, Ellie, Eadie, Graham, and Greta.  Mary Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Jenkins; four sisters, Lenore Pullins, Dorothy Beemer, Lois Love, and Carol Tietge; and one brother, Frank Tietge.

Over her lifetime, Mary Frances worked as a bank teller, a part-time sales clerk, a doctor’s receptionist, an accountant and, most importantly, a devoted mother.  Mary Frances and her first husband, Milton Joseph Field (deceased), raised their 3 children in Arlington, Virginia.  She was the disciplinarian of the family and Paula, Tim and Margie jokingly referred to her as the “Big Bad Wolf!”  After Bob and Mary Frances retired to Asheville, NC, she worked hundreds of volunteer hours for the VA Hospital.  She was an active member of the Oak Forest Presbyterian Church in Asheville, NC for over 40 years.  Her family and friends feel blessed to have had her in our lives and will always remember her good-hearted, generous, loving, and optimistic nature.  She always told us, “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle” and “There is some good that comes out of every situation.”

A memorial service and celebration of Mary Frances Jenkins’ life will be held on her birthday, July 19, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. in the Wells Chapel of Faith, 1 Chapel of Faith Drive, Candler, NC.  Reverend Tim Meredith will officiate.

Wells Funeral Home of Candler has been entrusted with the care of Mrs. Jenkins.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Jenkins, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Monday, July 19, 2021

Starts at 3:00 pm (Eastern time)

Wells Chapel of Faith (Candler)

NC

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