Mother Bernice Jennings

December 16, 1931 - October 30, 2018

****NOTE: VISITATION & FUNERAL SERVICE TIMES & LOCATION LISTED BELOW On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, God sent one of his kindest angels to assist our mother to peacefully take her flight and transcend to her eternal hour of glory while surrounded by her loving family. Mother Bernice was the 5th child born to the union of Edward and Georgia Hooper on December 16, 1931 in Greenville, MS. As a youth, Mother Jennings and her siblings toiled in the cotton fields in Mississippi as she was no stranger to hard work. Seeking better economic opportunities, she moved to Chicago, Illinois where she accepted Christ at a young age and served under the tutelage of the late Pastor Glen Washington. On December 11, 1948 she married the love of her life the late great Admin. Walter Jennings, Sr. (whom she often stated she was married to 53 years and 1 day—to be exact!) In the early 1950’s for the betterment of their small family, they decided to move to Kalamazoo, MI. She was a devoted wife and an excellent mother, and instilled in her children to put God first in their lives, to love one another and her belief was to spare the rod spoil the child. In the late 1960’s to early 1970’s, Mother Jennings served as a teacher and a disciplinarian at Lincoln Elementary School in Kalamazoo, MI. Later, she decided not to return to that position. Her love for children was not only in the classroom but also in the home as she taught her children great work ethics even if it meant getting up at the crack of down to pick blue berries, cut grapes or climb apple or other fruit trees. She believed the bible was “right by itself” as she often quoted the passage that says to be fruitful and multiply, in which she procured 13 children. She had a loving devotion to God and her husband. She was the “First Lady” of many churches that her husband pastored including: New Hope Church of God In Christ in Bangor, MI; Pentecostal Church Of God In Christ in Three Rivers MI; Prayer Garden Church Of God In Christ in Vandalia, MI and Greater Prayer Garden Church of God In Christ in Bangor, MI. Although she was the First Lady, she served in several capacities within the church which including: Sunday School Superintendent, and Prayer and Bible Band Teacher. She mastered the art of raising money by encouraging everyone she encountered to contribute to her Sunday School Class. She even went as far as giving her students gleaners to fill up weekly, so she could be awarded the Sunday School Banner. Soon after her husband went home to be with the Lord, Mother Jennings joined her son’s church, Progressive Deliverance Ministries Church Of God In Christ in Kalamazoo, MI, where she became an Assistant Church Mother, serving faithfully until her death. Her favorite song she would often sing was: “I don’t feel no ways tired. I come too far from where God brought me from. Nobody told me the road would be easy. I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me!” Bernice was faithful to God, family, friends and to the many people she encountered along her way in life, were never treated like a stranger. Despite her failing health she always stated, “I’m Blessed” and pressed through with the spirit of Job. “ She fought a good fight!” She was preceded in death by her husband, Administrator Walter Jennings Sr.; 2 children, Angela Renee Jennings and Kelvin Maurice Jennings; her parents; 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Mother Bernice Jennings leaves to cherish her memory 11 children: Walter Jennings Jr. of Kalamazoo, MI; Bernadine Stanfill-Porter of Bangor, MI; Jacqulyn (Eddie) Lee of Sacramento, CA; Missionary Patricia Jennings and Debra Moore of Kalamazoo, MI; Elder Rickey (Dianna) Jennings of Allegan, MI; Pastor Gregory (Gwendolyn) Jennings of Kalamazoo, MI; Randy Jennings of Chicago, IL; Darryl Jennings and Denise Jennings both of Kalamazoo, MI; and Andrea Jennings of West Columbia, SC; 2 grandchildren she raised as her own children: Mario and Jaleesa Campbell both of Kalamazoo, MI; 1 special brother-in-law; Mr. Cedell Jennings of Chicago, IL; 52 grandchildren; 65 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; also several special nieces and nephews that mean a lot to her; cousins and friends and her loving Progressive Deliverance church family. "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Thessalonians 5:18 KJV