Emily was born January 8, 1904, the daughter of James and Mary Jenkins of Louisville, Ky. She attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy during the years 1918-1922, and entered the formation program the following September. Following a six-month postulancy, Emily received the Ursuline habit on March 19, 1923, and the name Sister Ursula.
In 1924, Sister Ursula taught high school students at St. Joseph School in Owensboro, for four years. She was next assigned to St. Rose School High School in Cloverport, Ky., for four years. Sister attended Nazareth College in Louisville during the school term, 1932-1933. She continued teaching in the following high schools: St. Bernard Academy in Nebraska City, Neb., (a total of 11 years on two separate assignments), Peonia, Ky., St. Francis, Ky., Blanco, N.M., St. Joseph (Owensboro), and finally Mount Saint Joseph Academy, from 1955 to 1972. Sister Ursula taught many subjects in high school, but her special field was science, biology, chemistry and physics.
Sister’s failing health caused her to retire from teaching in 1972. She resided in Lourdes Hall, but eventually became a patient in the infirmary section of that building. Sister died on November 7, 1981. On November 9, Father Bernard Barnes OSM, chaplain, and Father Anthony Ziegler, who gave the homily, celebrated the funeral Mass. Sister Ursula’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.
Sister Ursula Jenkins I was the aunt of Sister Ursula Jenkins II. Sister Ursula Jenkins II entered four months after the death of her aunt and was given her name.