Nancy Howell Jenkins

Nancy Howell Jenkins, age 84, of Hendersonville, Tennessee passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024. 

She was our beautiful, vivacious, never-met-a-stranger wife and Mother, but her favorite name was GranNan. She was the matriarch as well as the heart and soul of our family. If you met her, she would have a big smile and a hug for you. One of her Godly gifts was making you feel like you were the most important part of her day. Every person she came across, whether you were friends with her for many years or met her 5 minutes at a grocery store or restaurant, she left a lasting impression and you never forgot Mrs. Nancy. Her laugh was so pure and infectious, oh how she loved to laugh! 

Our childhood home on Wonder Valley Drive was “the” hangout place. Our door was open to everyone, the fridge and pantry were always stocked, and we never knew who would show up at what time or who would be sleeping on the den floor in the morning. She loved being the Southern hostess, every holiday the house was decorated throughout, and she hosted many family, church, school, and neighborhood get-togethers. 

Mom loved her God, her family, and her friends. She was a true servant of God, a prayer warrior and never missed an opportunity to spread the word of God. Her Christian influence on everyone who knew her was immeasurable. Our Mom loved family, she never went a day without telling us how much she loved us and how much we meant to her. If you knew her, you knew she was GranNan to Preston, Julianna, and Talan. They were her pride and joy and she never missed time to talk about one (or all) of her grandchildren during a conversation. She was the beloved wife of Richard for 62 years and they had three daughters, Lori, Leigh Ann, and Julie. Richard and Nancy have been members at First Baptist Church Hendersonville since 1963. 

Nancy attended Isaac Litton High School, Belmont College, and the University of Tennessee. 

Nancy was a former employee of the Tennessee Baptist Convention State Board office at Belmont College; worked as the receptionist for E. Courtney Wilson at First Baptist Church Hendersonville; and office manager at Gallatin Road Baptist Church. Her favorite and most rewarding job was as the Executive Director of the Park Place Retirement Community in Hendersonville, where she retired. 

In addition to her parents, Nancy is preceded in death by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Elmer Vick and Mr. and Mrs. Noah Howell; her siblings, Jimmy Frank Howell, and Elnora Carpenter Poulk; and her son-in-law, Randal Jerome Bauch.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Richard Jenkins; her daughters, Lori Jenkins (George Swygert), Leigh Ann Jenkins Bauch, and Julie Jenkins Loza (Walter J. Loza); grandchildren, Preston Andrew Bauch, Julianna Jenkins Swygert, and Talan Easton Loza; and her siblings, David Lee Shumate (Pam) and Kevin Mark Shumate.

A visitation for Nancy will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024,from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Hendersonville Funeral Home, 353 E. Main Street, Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075. The Celebration of Life for Nancy will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Hendersonville Funeral Home, 353 E. Main Street, Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075. Burial will follow.