Virginia Jennings

Virginia Jennings passed from this life on September 20th in the Levelland Nursing Home at the age of 89.

She was born Virginia Lucille Powers on September 5, 1931 in Frederick, Oklahoma. She was the fifth of eight children born to Nita and George Powers. She started school in Tipton, Oklahoma, a farming community near the Red River before moving to Texas where she attended 3 ^rd through 9 ^th grades in the Muleshoe area. Her family then moved back to Oklahoma where she graduated from Prue High School in 1949.

After graduation, Virginia returned to Texas to visit her sister and brother-in-law who were working on a farm near Lazbuddie. While there, she met and six months later married Al Jennings, the son of the land owner.  They were married on December 30, 1950 and lived in a little frame house on the farm until Al joined the Air Force in the spring of 1951. While in the service, they lived at air bases in California, Colorado, and Illinois where their first child, Linda was born. Following that, they were transferred to Fort Worth where their second child, Johnny was born.  After Al’s discharge from the Air Force, they moved back to the Lazbuddie farm where their third child, Rex was born.

Virginia was a farmer’s wife until 1957 when Al left farming behind to enter the ministry, becoming a United Methodist Minister.  Al, Virginia and the children moved to Abilene and then Dallas while Al attended McMurry and SMU.  As a minister’s wife, Virginia lived in the small Texas towns of Quitaque, Vega, Olton, Abernathy, Shallowater, Crosbyton and Morton. Following Al’s retirement in 1992, Virginia moved with Al back to the farm at Lazbuddie where they lived until his death in 2012.  During those years, Virginia and Al became the proud grandparents to seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  They were married a week short of 62 years.

Virginia’s life was full of the joy of sharing in Al’s Christian calling as they ministered together over the years to all the congregations of those small west Texas churches. Yet, her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always ready to take care of any of them when needed.

After Al’s passing, Virginia moved to Levelland where her daughter lived. Her last 5 years were spent with the help of the wonderful caregivers at the Levelland Nursing Home.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, George and Nita Powers; husband, Al Jennings; sisters, Georgia Lee Jennings, Mildred Knight and Connie Spielman; brothers, Clinton Powers, W. H. Powers and Tommy Powers; son, Johnny Jennings; and grandson, Justin Johnson.

She is survived by daughter,  Linda Johnson and husband Jimmie of Levelland; son, Rex Jennings and wife Beth of Arcadia, Oklahoma; sister, Jeannie Wikel of Bothell, Washington; grandchildren, Brittany Weaver and husband Matt of Sweetwater, Shawnee Hancock and husband Nick of Frisco, Brandi Thompson of Amarillo, Cody and wife Sally of Centennial, Colorado, Brianne Jennings of Edmond, Oklahoma, Brian Batenhorst and wife Dustie of Shamrock; and  great-grandchildren,  Mabry Weaver, Marly Weaver, Maryn Weaver, Chloe Thompson, Emma Thompson, Olivia Thompson, Preslie Batenhorst, Chelsie Batenhorst and Hudson Hancock.

Services will be held at the Levelland First United Methodist church on Thursday, September 24 ^th at 1:30 PM with the Reverend Ruby Moultrie officiating.  Interment will follow at the Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery in Muleshoe, Texas.

The family would like to thank the Levelland Nursing Home and Interim Hospice for their caring services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Levelland First United Methodist Church, 1011 Houston Street, Levelland, Texas 79336 or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home.  (806) 897-1111