Mary Ellen Jennings

Mary Ellen Jennings, age 85, of Plano, Texas passed away on March 29, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. She was born on July 20, 1936 in Beloit, Kansas to Earl W. Davis and Ellen M. Engelbert Davis. Mary grew up in Grinnell, Kansas and attended grade and high school there. She also attended Marymount College in Salina, Kansas.

Mary married Donald N. Hongola in 1955 and they moved to Fresno, California where they raised their family – three boys – Allen, John and David, and one girl, Christine. After their 15th year of marriage, they divorced, with the teenagers going with their mother. A rebound marriage to Roy Markham ended in two years.

The family was living in the Ventura, California area when Mary met and married Everett (Bud) Brelsford and she and her family moved with him to the Dallas, Texas area. The blended family enjoyed living and working in Texas. However, Bud and Mary divorced in 1981.

A happy marriage to Lyell P. Jennings ensued in 1986 and Mary enjoyed working as a Legal Admin. Assistant in Dallas, Houston, Michigan and Ohio when they lived there. She and husband Lyell retired to their condo in Orange Beach, Alabama in 2001 and one of Mary’s favorite activities was walking on the beach along the shore. After Lyell passed away, Mary moved nearby to the Perdido Key Drive area of Pensacola, Florida to be near close friends.

Interests included singing in the choir at Saint Thomas By the Sea Catholic Church in Orange Beach, weekly card games with close women friends, and attending Red Hat Society meetings. She had been a Red Hat Society Chapter President in Dallas. She was a VP of the Friends of the SW Escambia Co. Library and fondly recalled that she had sung with the Fresno, California Opera many years ago. Mary has touched countless lives and her unique character has endeared her to many friends in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Kansas and Idaho.

Due to ill health she moved back to Dallas to be near family. Mary suffered a stroke on May 3, 2021, was hospitalized, followed by rehab, then moved to a pleasant residential care home in Dallas where family could visit. Mary was Anointed by a member of the clergy from All Saints Catholic Church in Dallas a week before she died.

She was preceded in death by spouse Lyell P. Jennings and sons Allen E. Hongola, John M. Hongola, David L. Hongola and daughter Christine Davis.

She is survived by her cherished grandson Eric V. Davis, sister Martha E. Overstreet, nephew Damian M. Davidson and wife Wendi C. Davidson and family, Lexie Davidson and Daxton Davidson and other relatives in Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois.

The family would like to thank caregivers at La Cabeza Care Home and Precise Personalized Care Hospice for their excellent care of Mary in her last months and final days.

At Mary’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service. Memorials may be made to the charity organization of your choice.