Mary Alice Cobb Jenkins passed away peacefully with family by her side on May 22, 2024.  She was five weeks short of her 90th birthday.

Mary had six brothers and she was the second youngest child born to George Rufus and Daisy Milo Hunter Cobb in Edgecombe County, NC on June 29, 1934. At a young age Mary Alice was baptized in the Tar River.
Mary graduated from G.W. Carver High School in Pinetops and went to North Carolina Central University.  In 1957 she graduated with a degree in commerce education.

Her first teaching job was in Laurinburg, NC where she made lifelong friends. Mary and Wilbert were married in 1959.  In 1960 they moved to Miami Beach, Florida where their family increased to three children.

In 1971, the family moved to Winston-Salem, NC.  Mary continued to teach business and marketing classes at Carver High School and R.J. Reynolds Senior High School until her retirement in 1995 after 38 years of teaching.  Mary also taught evening typing classes at Forsyth Technical Community College for over twelve years.  Mary obtained her master's degree from UNC-Greensboro.

She was best known for her sense of humor, compassion, caring spirit, helpfulness, love of Snickers, dedication, and the joy she shared.

She loved to craft including crochet, cross-stitch, and macrame. She was talented at growing houseplants and loved blooming flowers. After retiring Mary volunteered at the Reynolda House Museum of Art, in schools, and the National Black Theater Festival.

Mary and Wilbert loved to travel and see new things and places during their 65-year marriage. They delivered Meals on Wheels into their mid-80's.

Mary served on the First Baptist Church Usher Board, Women's Service Council, Holland Homes Board, and Scholarship Committee.  She served as president of the usher board and WSC.

Mary was a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  She was a Pearl Member having joined in 1956 at Alpha Chi Chapter at NCCU.  She was filled with joy to pin both daughters when they joined.  They often traveled to conventions.  She was a life member of NCCU Alumni Association and NC Retired School Personnel Association.

Mary was predeceased by her parents; six brothers; and son, Wilbert T. Jenkins, Jr.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Wilbert; daughters, Wilma T. Jenkins-Flythe (Reggie) of Raleigh, NC and Wynette J. Martin (Chris) of Kernersville, NC; sister-in-law, Ann Cobb of Richmond, VA; five step-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A viewing will be held from 2:00pm until 6:00pm Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Thursday, May 30, 2024 at First Baptist Church-Highland Avenue.  The family visitation will be held from 10:30am until 11:00am on Thursday at the Church.  Interment will be held in Northeastern Cemetery, Rocky Mount, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the W.T. & Mary Cobb Jenkins Family Fund for scholarships at The Winston-Salem Foundation, 751 West Fourth Street, Suite 200, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.