Elizabeth Porter Jennings

Elizabeth Porter Jennings, 103, of Abilene passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, April 3, 2011. Elizabeth was born on June 6, 1907 at the Porter farm home in Terrell, Texas and the world was graced with a happy, loving, volunteer spirit. She was the seventh of nine siblings born to Bessie and W. C. Porter. Elizabeth was reunited in Heaven with her parents; six brothers and two sisters; husband, Leroy Jennings, Sr.; son, Leroy Jennings, Jr.; son-in-law, Gordon Asbury, Jr.; grandson, Brad Jennings; great grandson, Andrew Asbury; and many other relatives and friends. Upon arrival in Abilene by train to attend Simmons College in 1925, the first person Elizabeth met was Leroy Jennings, Sr., who was often greeting new students at the station. Elizabeth and Leroy were married on October 24, 1929, the same day the Stock Market crashed. A 48-year love affair began. Leroy died in 1977 leaving Elizabeth alone for 34 years. At Hardin-Simmons University, Elizabeth was a charter member of The Cowgirls and was crowned Junior Class Queen. Her BKRMFH Award (Best Kept Room in Mary Frances Hall) brought a lot of teasing though the years. Elizabeth had the feminine gift of homemaking and spent her life caring for her church, family and friends. The Abilene newspaper pictured Elizabeth and other young mothers rolling bandages for Red Cross to send to the war effort in 1942. This work marked the beginning of Elizabeth's volunteer service outside of church and school. In 1958, she became a charter member of the Hendrick Hospital Auxiliary and was still driving her car to the hospital to volunteer at the age of 92. Her cumulative service totaled 15,354 hours. Among those who already miss Elizabeth are her daughter, Janice Asbury, and her children Elizabeth Sims and husband Dean, and Gordon Asbury III and wife Aloma; daughter-in-law, Barbara Jennings, and her children Frank Jennings and wife Cheri, and Judy Geib and husband Harry; ten great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. A memorial service to rejoice in Elizabeth's century plus years will be held in the First Baptist Church Chapel on Friday, April 8, at 1:30 p.m. with Dr. Phil Christopher and Rev. Stan Allcorn officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials can be made to the Jennings Memorial Business Scholarship, HSU Box 16100, Abilene, TX 79698; Texas Tech Foundation in honor of Andrew Asbury, P.O. Box 41081, Lubbock, TX 79409; or the donor's charity of choice. Elizabeth's family wants to express our gratitude to the staff of Wesley Court Nursing Center and the Hendrick Hospice staff/volunteers for their loving care these last years.