After a long terminal illness, Shelley Jenkins, 39, of Franklin, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2013 surrounded by family and friends.

Born in Springfield, Tennessee, she was the daughter of Sunshine Dowlen Cantley of Franklin formerly of Nashville, Tennessee and the late Stuart Allen Jenkins, formerly of Roanoke, Virginia. She is survived by her mother, Sunshine Cantley and step-dad, Charles (Chuck) Cantley of Franklin and an uncle, Steve Dowlen of Tennessee. In addition to her father she is preceded in death by her uncle, Ernest F. Dowlen, III and her aunt, Jesse Jo Snider, both of Tennessee.

Shelley was a student of the medical sciences, first studying nursing and interning at Sumner Regional Hospital in Gallatin, Tennessee. She redirected her studies to pharmacy and radiology where she interned and worked at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She was last studying to become a Forensic Coroner.

Shelley loved to read and had a great love of animals and nature. Being interested in marine biology, she read and became as knowledgeable as she could with regards to marine life.

Shelley became a student at Macon Tracs Therapeutic Riding for Adults and Children's Success, later becoming a volunteer. They honored her by naming their scholarship program "The Shelley Jenkins Scholarship Fund". This fund helps ensure no student will be turned away from this life-changing service.

A Memorial Service will be held at Wayah Bald Mountain, Friday, May 31st at 1:00. Rev. Vic Greene will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to Macon Tracs, Inc. PO Box 101, Otto, NC 28763.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com