Mary Ann Della Rova Jenkins, 89, of Pageland, SC died Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Ms. Jenkins was born on May 14, 1936 to Sabatino and Rose Della Rova of Coatesville, PA. Ms. Jenkins retired from Chesterfield County School District after serving as a teacher's aide, study hall proctor, and computer lab instructor. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Daniel, Nicholas, and Samuel Della Rova; her sisters, Linnett Porreca, Theresa Englerth, Dolores McMichael, Jennie Potrok and Anna Clauser; her husband, Joseph O. Jenkins; her former husband and companion Joe Edd Thomas, Sr.; and her daughter, Jane Thomas Rollings.

Ms. Jenkins relocated to Pageland, SC in 1968 and, finding no local Catholic parish, began hosting visiting priests to celebrate Mass at her home for her family and other local Catholic families. After many years of the Pageland Catholic community utilizing temporary spaces, Ms. Jenkins' and other dedicated parishioner's faith and actions culminated in the founding of St. Ernest Catholic Church in 1987 and the building of a sanctuary in 1990. Ms. Jenkins was a devoted parishioner who visited St. Ernest daily and never missed Saturday vigil Mass until her health and mobility declined.

To her family, "Granny" will be best remembered for her love and devotion, especially for her grandchildren, which was peppered with the fiery attitude of her Italian immigrant ancestors. Sunday lunch at "Granny's" was a rotating staple of Italian cooking from her childhood and southern country cuisine taught to her by her mother-in-law, Dula Jenkins. That rare combination of someone who would cook lasagna or spaghetti from scratch one Sunday and roast beef or fried chicken and biscuits the next demonstrated how she acclimated to southern living while retaining her Italian-American heritage.

Surviving Ms. Jenkins are her daughter, Linnett Thomas Burr of Pageland, SC; son, Joe Edd Thomas Jr. (Kim) of Kennesaw, GA; son, Charles Vincent Thomas of Pageland, SC; grandchildren, Joe Edd Thomas, III (Tina) of Waleska, GA; Adam Michael Foard (Clare) of Jefferson, SC; Amanda Thomas Finn (Ryan) of Creedmoor, NC; Albert Lynn Rollings, III (Krystal) of Jefferson, SC; Andrew Joseph Rollings (Laura) of Jefferson, SC; Jason Baxter Thomas (Ashley) of Canton, GA; Ethan Thomas Foard (Elese) of Jefferson, SC; Jonathan Chase Thomas (Lindsey) of Myrtle Beach, SC; Charles Vincent Thomas, II (Kristen) of Pageland, SC; Anna Linnett Rollings (Jamie) of Jefferson, SC; Casey Samuel Thomas (Stephanie) of Pageland, SC; Carrie Burkham (Jeremy) of Milwaukee, WI; and Lili Stroman of Pageland, SC; great-grandchildren, Joshua Thomas, Owen Thomas, Wyatt Foard, Riley Finn, Brayden Finn, Decker Finn, Kingston Jackson, Wales Rollings, Seth Rollings, Sarah Rollings, Declan Thomas, Boston Thomas, Augusta Foard, Brewer Thomas, Blaze Thomas, Arlo Thomas, Donald Templeton, Joselyn Templeton, Jude Burkham, Forest Burkham, Tatum Burkham, and Braylee Stroman.

Visitors are welcome to call on the family on Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the home of Ethan and Elese Foard, 1215 McCaskill Rd., Jefferson, SC 29718.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ernest Catholic Church on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 10:00 am with committal to follow at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Peter Catholic Church, C/O St. Ernest Catholic Church, 602 Market Street, Cheraw, SC 29520. The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Gentiva Hospice for their kindness and care.

Baumgartner Funeral Home of Pageland, South Carolina (www.baumgartnerfh.com) is assisting Ms. Jenkins' family.