Ivy Mantle

Ivy Coene Jenkins Mantle, 75, of Spartanburg, SC, formerly of Columbus, GA, passed away at her home on Saturday, September 28, 2013. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, and she will be dearly missed. She was born November 14, 1937, in Bosworth, MO, to the late Ruby Mae Winfrey Jenkins and Clem Logan Jenkins, Sr. At the age of 17, she met an enlisted man, Ronald James Mantle, Jr. who would become the love of her life. They were married March 26, 1955 and traveled the U. S. and Germany following various tours of duty with the U. S. Army. Over the course of the next several years, she brought four beautiful, healthy children into the world. After her husband's retirement from the Army at Ft. Benning, they made their home in Columbus, GA. Tragedy struck in 1972 when her husband Ron died unexpectedly. She was a widow who had never worked outside the home-living over a thousand miles away from her family of origin-and she had to provide for her children. With support from God, family, and friends, she persevered and raised her kids-all of whom went on to have families of their own. In 1980, she moved in with her eldest daughter and son-in-law, and relished her role as second mom to her oldest grandchildren. Among her greatest qualities was the appreciation for life's simple pleasures. She loved flowers and birds, enjoyed preparing meals for her family, and chatting with neighbors. She was a frequent visitor to the Spartanburg Art Museum. She took great pleasure in her family and particularly loved watching her great-grandchildren grow. She was a devoted letter-writer and kept in close touch with her family and friends far and wide through artful correspondence. In her later years, she embraced email and Facebook as a method to maintain contact with her grandchildren. Though not a member of a congregation, Ivy was a Christian. She attended church several times a week in her room listening to recordings of her son's church in Franklin, GA. In addition to her parents and husband, Ivy was predeceased by two brothers, Carl and C. L. Jenkins; and two sisters, Pauline Donavon and Connie Hinkle. Left to cherish her memory are two sisters, Marcella Martin (Tyke) of Theodosia, MO, and Betty Graeff (Hobert) of Independence, MO; her four children, Connie Steed (Tommy) of Spartanburg, SC, Penny DeWitt (Bobby) of Kathleen, GA, Roxanne Hatlan (Dewayne) of Hubert, NC, and Ronnie Mantle (Kelly) of Franklin, GA; eight grandchildren, Chris Steed (Erin) of Spartanburg, SC, Bobby Steed (Jamie) of Spartanburg, SC, Michael DeWitt (Lisa) of Perry, GA, Jonathan DeWitt of Kathleen, GA, Amy and Elijah Hatlan of Wisconsin, Justin Mantle of Athens, GA, and Robert Mantle of Franklin, GA; and six great-grandchildren, Sarah, Camden, J.T. and Avery Steed of Spartanburg, SC; and Brook Hoffman and Jaxx Zillmer of Wisconsin. She is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, extended family members, close friends, and her constant four-legged companion, Rigby. The family would like to thank the staff of Spartanburg Regional Hospice for their support and care over the last several months. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, October 4, 2013, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1320 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307, officiated by the Reverends Jim and Kathryn Hunter. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in Poston Hall. A private burial will follow at a later date in Evergreen Memorial Park in Columbus, GA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg Regional Hospice, 120 Heywood Avenue, Spartanburg, SC 29303; Spartanburg Art Museum, 200 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303; or a charity of one's choice. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ivy Coene Mantle please visit our Sympathy Store.