Jane Jennings

Jane West Jennings passed from this earthly life into eternity in the early hours of October 27, 2016, after a brave and courageous battle against cancer for the past 21 years. No doubt her husband, James Michael Jennings, whom she married on December 26, 1971, was there to greet her with open arms. Jane was born on December 19, 1952, in Sylacauga, Alabama. She graduated from Sylacauga High School and went to the University of Alabama where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. For most of her career as a registered nurse, she was an operating room nurse extraordinaire. She also enjoyed working as an educator training the next generation of nurses. In the mid-1990’s she decided to study for and then passed with flying colors her certification as a Registered Nurse First Assistant and worked in surgery at Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas. She also served in other Texas hospitals as well as University Hospital in Birmingham, AL, and Passavant Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

Jane possessed a loving and giving personality and always thought of others before herself. She played the piano and organ, and sang in choirs and ensembles using her beautiful soprano voice. She loved her church and frequently was an accompanist for services, a soloist in the choir or sang and played for weddings in the community.

She loved to travel--first with her husband, then as a family--and after her husband’s death, she took each of her children on once-in-a-lifetime journeys to different parts of the world. She also loved photography and took many pictures documenting her trips. She could be seen on the Great Wall of China, climbing steps in Machu Picchu in Peru, caressing koalas in Australia, looking for gorillas in Uganda, riding an elephant through the jungles of Thailand, capturing icebergs, penguins, and killer whales in Antarctica, floating down the rivers of Europe, visiting the moors of Scotland while retracing the adventures of Jamie and Claire, or walking in the steps of Jesus in Israel. Besides taking photos in these far off places, she enjoyed collecting artifacts and small items which represented the architecture or native culture of the countries she visited.

Jane also was known for her love of owls and had an extensive collection of glass, china, wooden, woven, and very unique owls. When someone saw an owl, Jane came to mind. Jane’s wonderful sense of humor allowed her to make and keep many friends with whom she loved to laugh and spend time. She will be greatly missed. She also adored her Yorkie companions who gave her much comfort. Mojo and Gizmo survive her, but Brutus, the oldest at 12 years, passed away the day before Jane did.

Jane Jennings is preceded in death by her husband, Mike, who died of melanoma in 2006, her parents Catherine and Woodrow West, and father-in-law William Jennings. Surviving her are her son Nicholas Jennings and daughter Courtney Jennings, both of Houston, sister and brother-in-law, Patty West and Rodney Taylor, Franklin, TN; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ken and Linda Jennings Lewis, Kingsport, TN; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Billy and Malee Jennings, Vancouver, WA; brother-in-law Steve Jennings, Athens, AL; mother-in-law, Josephine Jennings, Athens, AL; Nieces, Katie Lewis, Nashville, TN, Julie Wilson and Leigh Ann Cates, both of Franklin,TN; Nephews, Daniel [and his wife Cory] Lewis of Chattanooga, TN, and Brian Taylor, Nashville, TN; Scott Jennings [and his wife Kristy] and Kevin Jennings, both of AL; and many other members of her extensive extended family.

Visitation for Mrs. Jennings will be on Saturday, October 29, 2016, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Forest Park Dignity Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 South, The Woodlands, TX. Her celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 3:00 P.M. at Crossroads Baptist Church, 5000 College Park Drive, Conroe, TX 77384. Burial will follow the service at Forest Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be donated to Crossroads Baptist Church, as Jane was involved in and supported many of their outstanding ministry/outreach programs.