Oberlin-Funeral Service for Ann Nash Jenkins will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at Oberlin Baptist Church. Rev. Laura Nusbaum will officiate. Burial will follow in China Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, April 17, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oberlin. Visitation will resume on Thursday morning at Oberlin Baptist Church from 12 noon until time of service.

Ann Nash Jenkins, the only child of Elton and Mae Nash, was born on January 5, 1934. Miss Ann grew up in the town of Winnfield, Louisiana, and graduated from Northwestern State University in 1955 with a degree in Home Economics. Beginning a job search shortly after graduation, a friend's husband suggested Oberlin. There was a handsome hardware store owner in Oberlin who was single! Miss Ann secured employment as the Allen Parish Home Extension Agent and by September she and Mr. Jimmie were dating. They married March 29, 1956.

Miss Ann and Mr. Jimmie began their family the next year, and by 1961, they had three children:  Jim, Laura and Terry. It was after Terry was born that Mrs. Jenkins began her teaching career which lasted over 20 years. She inspired many as the Home Economics teacher at Oberlin High School, and several memories stand out from those teaching days.

Mrs. Jenkins was instrumental in starting the very first boys Home Ec class called Bachelor Survival; she loved the class and the boys. Mrs. Jenkins taught them how to cook what they wanted to learn to cook, but she drew the line at cooking the squirrel heads in the squirrel gumbo!

Very important to Oberlin High School were the coronations of which Mrs. Jenkins was in charge. The crowning of king and queen was a huge event in which the FFA boys elected a court and the FHA girls also elected a court. Mrs. Jenkins helped students get ready for this event on her own time and was always just as helpful to her Home Ec students, whether ripping out seams or offering advice so no student would be disappointed with his or her final product. Mrs. Jenkins was always available and is remembered by many alumnae for the extra help she gave.

In her later years, Miss Ann thoroughly enjoyed handwork; she crocheted baby afghans, filet crocheted names, and crocheted table covers, just to name just a few. She also loved to knit dishcloths and gave them as gifts to many people. In fact, Miss Ann mentioned that at her funeral she wanted a basket filled with those knitted dishcloths for people to take as they left the funeral!

Ann Nash Jenkins is survived by three children: James (Karen) of Springfield, IL; Laura (Dr. Charles) Reed of Winnsboro, LA; and Terry (Patsy) of Lafayette, LA. Also known as Maw-Maw, Miss Ann is survived by six grandchildren: Natalie (Justin) Albertson, Amy Jenkins, Emily Reed, Dr. Kelly Reed (Brad) Lodgen, Charles "Chas" Reed (Whitney), and Jordan Jenkins. Miss Ann is survived by one sister-in-law, Marjorie Jenkins of Orange Beach, AL, her daughter Barbie (Dr. Ken) Francez and family; and a niece Jeanne (Randy) Soileau and family. Miss Ann was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie; her parents Elton and Mae Nash; and her sister-in-law Helen.