JoAnne Koone Jenkins

JoAnne Koone Jenkins, age 75, of Rutherfordton, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

JoAnne was born Saturday, July 7, 1951 in Rutherford County to the late John Koone and Mildred Alley Koone. She worked as a bus driver for Tri-Community School for twenty-one years and later as the manager for the Bakery at Ingles Market for fourteen years. JoAnne enjoyed crocheting, listening to Conway Twitty and tending to her pet dog, Bella. More than anything, she loved spending time with and taking care of her grandchildren. She loved each of them dearly. When she was able, she attended Grace Baptist Church in Henrietta. JoAnne was a woman with a deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of forty-seven years, Earl Graham Jenkins, Jr. and a sister, Martha Koone.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Lisa Perez (Augustin) of Morganton, NC, Stephanie Jenkins of Forest City, Beth Jenkins of Rutherfordton; son, Earl Graham Jenkins III of Cliffside; sister, Judy Greer of Gaffney; brother, Eddie Koone (Mollie) of Forest City; grandchildren, Tyler Nguyen, Brittany Perez-Horn (Sammy), Dakota Jenkins, Spencer Simmons III, Brent Simmons (Allie), Adrionna Jenkins, Kaylee Simmons, Jeremy Scott Horne, David Luke Horne, Asoria Jenkins, Layden Jenkins, Elidyn Jenkins and great grandchildren, Kensley Grace Jenkins and Mercy Perez.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 16th at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Pastor Lanny J. Funchess officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home.