surrounded by family at her longtime home in North Portland.
She is preceded in death by husband Vernon Jennings; son Meade Lee Grier Jr., daughters
Judith Anne Brooks and Reva Mae Lawrence (Grier); grandson Brian Ballard; granddaughter
Hatina Brooks; sister Margaret; and brothers Remus, Ersel, Richard, William (Poodle), and
Arthur Hayes; and her dog Snoopy.
She was born November 30, 1922 to William A. Hayes and Minnie Jackson in the small town of
Forest Green, Missouri. While born in Missouri, she spent the bulk of her growing up in Sioux
City, Iowa where her father, a deacon tended to a local farm and her mother took special pride
in fixing large dinners to bring the townspeople together. As an adult, she married Meade Lee
Grier Sr. in Twinsburg, Ohio with whom she had two of her children. After his passing she
returned to Sioux City, Iowa for some time.
In the late 40’s, shortly after the Vanport Floods, she would follow the man she would later
marry for life, army serviceman Vernon Jennings thousands of miles across the country to make
a forever home in Portland, finally saying goodbye to the Midwest for good. The two joined in
union in 1952 and welcomed four new children into their family.
She spent years working in canneries, before moving on to her profession as a homemaker
working throughout the greater Portland-metro area, sometimes walking miles to get to some of
her jobs, at a time when busses didn’t run so well; Annie also didn’t learn to drive until her 50’s.
When she finally did get her license, she shared a special love for her Chevy Malibu and did not
stop driving until well into her 80’s.
She was a devout follower of Christ, and had no problem letting folks know. One of her favorite
things to tell people was to “keep looking up,” and would often depart by telling folks “see you in
the funny papers.”
Annie also knew the importance of service. For many years she served as a Girl Scouts leader,
a position she took a lot of pride in. Additionally, she spent many-a-campaign cycle at the
Elections Office making sure every vote got counted.
Bringing people together was one of her favorite things to do, whether through block parties,
New Years breakfasts, or impromptu family dinners; when Annie said come, you come.
She is survived by sons, Mardas; Ricky; and Jimmy Jennings, and her daughter and longtime
caretaker Cheryl Jennings along; sisters Telsia Hayes and Viola Sanders along with a host of
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends.
She will be greatly missed.
She will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery where she will join her late husband.
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