Mary Lou Jenkins Philhower (known to most as “Mimi”), age 83, of Rock Hill, SC, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Mary was born in Richmond, Indiana, on December 5, 1941, to her late parents, Lawrence E. Jenkins and Leona Mae Coffee Jenkins.
Mary is survived by her children, Jeffery (Trena) Philhower and Kimberly (Rex) Studebaker; her siblings, Larry (Doris Jean) Jenkins, Morris Jenkins, David Jenkins; her sister-in-law, Becky Jenkins; her 5 grandchildren, George (Taylor) Philhower, Matthew Philhower, Ashley (Blake) Kite, Maribeth (Taylor) Lyman, and Melissa (Matt) Whisenant; her 8 great grandchildren, Madelynn Whisenant, Maddox Whisenant, Ryleigh Philhower, Eli Philhower, Paytyn Cordray, Cooper Cordray, Tavin Kite, and Dallas Kite; her great-great-grandchild, Ian Cordray; as well as her many nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Leona Jenkins; her brother, Bill Jenkins; her sister, Jane Baldwin; her 2 sister-in-laws, Susan Jenkins and Iris Jenkins; and her brother-in-law, Dean Baldwin.
Mary enjoyed attending Harvest Ministries COGOP and spending time with her family and friends. She loved to travel and attend her grandchildren’s many sporting events. Mary had a passion for arts and crafts, and often helped her granddaughters with school projects. She loved her family deeply and cared for her fellow tenants at Willowbrook Senior Living Community.
A funeral service will be held for Mary Philhower on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Greene Funeral Home Downtown Chapel, 355 East White Street, Rock Hill, SC.
The family will hold a visitation and receive friends before the service, beginning at 12:30 PM at Greene Funeral Home Downtown Chapel.
Burial will follow at Crown Memorial Park Cemetery, 9620 Rodney Street, Pineville, NC.
A special thank you to Agape Hospice Care of Gaffney, SC, for their great end-of-life care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Harvest Ministries Church of God of Prophecy at PO Box 3516 CRS, Rock Hill, SC 29732.