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Submitted: 8/18/16 • Approved: 8/19/16 • Last Updated: 8/22/16 • R1152681-G0-S3
1911 - 2003
Mary Evelyn Jennings passed away Saturday, March 8, 2003, in Oklahoma City, Okla., where she resided the last few years of her life.
Mary was a long-time resident of Conway before moving to Oklahoma City. Her grandparents, Hiram Parker and Tennessee Wilbanks, were one of Conway's pioneer families, having settled here shortly after the Civil War.
Born March 5, 1911, in Plumerville, Ark., she was the second of five children of Eva Wilbanks Jennings and Elias Swafford Jennings.
Mary graduated from Russellville High School in 1928, where she was an outstanding athlete, and in her senior year was voted "cutest girl in school." Affectionately called "Sugar" by her pals, Mary loved the piano and entertained herself and others throughout her life with her special talent. She was a varsity basketball player at Arkansas State Teachers College, graduating in 1932 with a degree in science and education.
She remained an enthusiastic alumnus for as long as she lived. As a young woman she taught science, math, and music at Casa, Holly Grove, Bald Knob, and North Little Rock schools. She coached girls basketball and produced several championship teams during her career. During World War II, she worked at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. Shortly after the war, she suffered a long-term illness, but nonetheless remained spirited and always willing to join the fray. At 79, participating in her family's Thanksgiving Day touch football game, she broke her collarbone. Undaunted, she continued to play each year through her 85th birthday. Thereafter relegated to the sidelines, she became a "cheerleader" for both teams. She was active for many years in the Faulkner County Historical Society. Although never married, she affectionately referred to her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews as her "children."
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Ruth Johnson and Tenny Belle Shapard; brother, E.S. Jennings; and stepbrother, Fred Williams.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2003, at Oak Grove Cemetery, Conway.
Parents:
Elias Swafford Jennings (1855 - 1946)
Eva Iola Willbanks Jennings (1881 - 1978)
Sibling:
Ruth LaRue Jennings Johnson (1909 - 1970)
Mary Evelyn Jennings (1911 - 2003)
Photo:
ancestry.com
canyonman46
Contributed on 8/18/16 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1152681