Mary Helen Jennings

Mary Helen Jennings, 92, of Pflugerville, died at home surrounded by family on Aug. 17, 2015. Her compassion, capacity to love, and unwaivering faith has forever impacted the many friends and family who loved her dearly.

Mary Helen Holcomb was born on Nov. 17, 1922 in a tent in Palo Pinto County, Texas, the third of four children. She worked hard as a child – picking cotton, doing farm chores, helping to raise her youngest sister – but also excelled at school, and was able to skip several grades. While working at Montgomery Wards after high school, the precocious Mary Helen met the handsome Ben Jennings, who was to become the love of her life. They married the day before he received his first assignment as a private in the Air Force. For the next 25 years, M.H. was a devoted military wife, moving across the country, and even overseas, countless times and raising their two children with a strong sense of fun and family rooted in Christian values.

After raising her children, she decided to devote her nurturing skills to the profession of nursing, and graduated from Nursing School at the age 42. Despite experiencing years of debilitating health issues herself, Mary never ceased to have an abundance of love to shower on her family, friends and patients. Her retirement years with Ben in Hurst, Texas, were filled with vacations, church activities, cross stitch, and, above all, grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ben Jennings. She is survived by her sister Lou Partin and husband Hugh, son Ron Jennings and wife Judy, daughter Nancy Maschal and husband Bill, six grandchildren and their spouses, and twelve great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. She has been the ultimate example to those who have come in contact with her of a life well-lived – full of love, laughter and service to others. “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” Matt. 25:23

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Missions Fund, Pflugerville, Texas or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville from 6pm to 8pm. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 3pm at First United Methodist Church in Pflugerville.