Gladys S. Jenkins of La Plata passed away peacefully on December 6, 2009. Gladys was born January 7, 1936 in Apache, Okalahoma, daughter of the late Mary Louise and John Stricker; and is predeceased by her husband Louis P. Jenkins, and twin brother Robert Stricker.

She is survived by six children: Frank Plowden Jenkins and wife Bonnie of Dentsville, Marguerite Baldus and husband Rick of La Plata, Jennie Simms Alexander and husband Doug of Carmel, Indiana, Mary Brooke Teefey and husband Joseph Teefey of Midlothian, Virginia, Louise Mallory Benson and husband Drew of Garmisch, Germany, Louis P. Jenkins, Jr., and wife Alicia of Hughesville. Mrs. Jenkins is also survived by 17 grandchildren and her sister, Ruth Bristow of La Plata.

Gladys was a long-standing parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Plata. An avid gardener, she was a member and past president of the Charles County Garden Club, served as a co-chair on Charles County's 350th anniversary committee. Gladys embraced life with exuberance, independence and the determination to fight the good fight. Her presence affected all of those around her and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Arehart-Echols of La Plata. Visitation will be held on Thursday December 10th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Prayers commencing at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday December 11th at Sacred Heart Church in La Plata followed by internment at St. Ignatius Chapel Point in Port Tobacco.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Charles County, P.O. Box 1703, La Plata, MD, 20646 http://www.hospiceofcharlescounty.org