Juanita Mae Jenkins

05/29/31 - 08-28-26

TERRE HAUTE - Juanita M. Jenkins, 95, of Terre Haute, and formerly of St. Louis, MO, passed away peacefully in her own home, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born May 29th, 1931, in St. Louis, MO., to Arthur Earnest Cooper and Dorothy (Dot) Meador Cooper.

When Juanita was young she grew up near St. Louis in southern Missouri. She graduated high school and went on to take courses at Indiana State University as she got older. She highly valued education and thought it was important to keep on learning, even after school. Juanita worked at several different jobs when she was younger, but eventually she landed at her career job as a secretary for Sugar Grove Elementary School, where she retired after 25+ years of service.

Juanita's main passion in life was her family. She helped raise her two sons, and even took on three grandchildren full time after that. Everything she did was in service to others. Juanita was an unconditionally loving mother figure to so many people, it's hard to put into words how many lives she changed for the better. But when she wasn't taking care of someone else, her other favorite hobby was playing bingo. She was a founding member of her long running group, and they met almost every month for decades.

Juanita is survived by her son, Gary Jenkins; two brothers, Larry Cooper and wife Sue, Richard Cooper and wife Connie; several grandchildren, John Jenkins (Amanda), Paul Jenkins (Josey), Jack Jenkins (Abby), and Allison Jenkins, and many more nephews, nieces, and great grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; husband, Jack Jenkins; son, James; sisters, Annabell and Kathleen, and brothers Lowell and James (Bud).

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11th 2026, at Roselawn Funeral Home. Afterwards, there will be a celebration of life back at Juanita's house for people to come visit, share stories, and remember the good times.