Mary Jane Jenkins

Mary Jane Jenkins of Midland, Texas, age 72, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Eve. Her many friends in Midland and her family in Houston and Durango grieve over the loss of her loving presence and joyful spirit.

Mary Jane, an only child, grew up in Ocala, Florida. Her devoted parents were James Reuben Moore and Mary Alice Wise.

On May 6, 1972 she graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science and Education degree. She majored in Art Education.

Mary Jane moved from Florida to Midland where she worked with Chevron Corporation. After some years in the corporate world she discovered her true calling as a teacher. Beginning in 1996 she taught at Robert E. Lee High School. Her specialty was teaching students with special needs. Deeply respected by her fellow teachers, Mary Jane was known as “going the extra mile” to enable her students to succeed in school and be prepared for life after high school.

The art of needlepoint and stitching was very important in Mary Jane’s life. Her many stitching friends refer to her as a master stitcher, with an excellent sense of color.

Anyone who knew Mary Jane knew she loved animals, especially her own cats who were integral to her life.

Prior to her mother’s death in 2009, Mary Jane and her mother traveled extensively every summer. Their adventures took them across the U.S. and to many destinations in Europe.

Mary Jane was a devoted and beloved member of the Episcopal community in Midland. She was an active volunteer of the Jubilee Center Food Pantry, taught Sunday School classes for some years, and graciously drove those who needed assistance to medical appointments.

She will be forever cherished by her many friends including Jan and Kent Oberle in Midland, who regarded her as a member of their family , and her sisterhood of needlepointers and stitchers as well as her family in Houston–Pat and Gail Rickey, Susan and David Reeves, Hannah and Julianna Reeves, and in Durango–Patricia Rickey and Anne DiZenzo and Benjamin and Caleb Rickey Lachelt.

Her memorial service, to be presided over by Father Rick Lopez, will be at St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church, 4000 N. Loop 250 W., Midland, Texas, on Saturday, February 11, at 11 AM.