Margaret Mallette Henderson Jenkins

Margaret Mallette Henderson Jenkins, 86, of West Columbia, SC, passed away peacefully on March 12th, 2025, at Lexington Medical Center.

Born on August 14, 1938, in Atlanta, Georgia, Margaret was the daughter of George and Gertrude Henderson. She was the devoted wife of Coach Robert T. “Bob” Jenkins, with whom she shared 54 wonderful years of marriage until he died on April 29th, 2013.

Margaret was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Mary Mallette Jenkins Wood on July 7th, 2021. She is survived by her son-in-law, Kevin Wood, of Rock Hill, SC and grandsons, George Henderson Wood and his wife, Kristen and their children of Charlotte, NC and Robert Andrew Wood of Nashville, TN. She also leaves behind her daughter, Margaret Keller “Meg” Jenkins Locke, and son-in-law, Ron Locke of Rock Hill, SC; grandsons, William Jenkins Locke of Hickory, NC, Robert Keller Locke and his wife, Mariah, along with her great grandson, Alexander Keller Locke of Raleigh, NC; and her granddaughter, Margaret Mallette Locke of Charlotte, NC. Margaret is also survived by her sister, Keller Henderson Barron of West Columbia, SC, as well as her beloved nephews and nieces, Lewis & Ruth Bumgardner, George & Margaret Sue Bumgardner, Charles & Leslie Bumgardner, and their families; and Margaret Anne Bumgardner & Theodore DuBose and their family. A special note of gratitude and love to Bill Scott of Rock Hill, SC and her devoted companions Sabrina Jacobs and Darcy Hartin.

Attending the University of South Carolina, Margaret dedicated her life to advocacy and service. Margaret and Bob lived in Waynesboro, Virginia, Bamberg, SC, York, SC and spent almost fifty years in Rock Hill, SC until she moved to Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Center in West Columbia, SC in 2020. She was a tireless champion for numerous causes, including York County Mental Health, York County Alcohol and Drug Addiction, York County Hospice—celebrating its 40th year this March as Hospice & Community Care, York County AIDS Alliance, the League of Women Voters, and countless other community organizations that uplifted and supported the forgotten and underrepresented. Margaret’s compassion, strength, and unwavering commitment to her community left an indelible mark on those who knew her. Her legacy of service and love will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina.

A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at Still Hopes Chapel of the Holy Spirit on March 28th, 2025 at 2:00pm in West Columbia, South Carolina. The graveside service will be held on March 29th, 2025 at 1:00pm at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to www.hospicecommunitycare.org or a charity of your choice in her honor.