Ethel Mae Jennings

Ethel Mae Jennings, 88, of Stidham, Oklahoma, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Mae was born on December 31, 1933, in Stidham, Oklahoma, to David Acord and Lizzie (Hill) Acord. Mae attended Stidham High School, where she would have graduated in 1952. Instead, Mae chose to marry the love of her life, Leon Jennings, on September 8, 1951, and put off obtaining her high school diploma until she had established herself as a devoted wife and loving mother of three children. She returned to Stidham High School at the age of 33 and worked as a part-time teacher’s aide while completing her remaining high school credits. In 1968, at the age of 34, Mae likely became the oldest person to ever graduate Stidham High School.  Mae was well known in the Stidham and Eufaula area as a talented cook and seamstress. She worked as an assistant cook in the Stidham School cafeteria, a supervisor at the Eufaula Sewing Factory, and a sales clerk at Chenault’s Department Store in Eufaula before beginning a career in insurance. In the late 1970s, Mae began working as a receptionist and secretary for Turner’s Insurance Agency in Eufaula, where she worked until the agency transitioned to the Stachmus Agency in the late 1980s. Mae was encouraged to study and take the insurance agent’s exam and passed it on the first try. She finished her career at the Stachmus Agency, where she worked as both an agent and receptionist until the mid-1990s when she retired. Another great love in Mae’s life was the Stidham Baptist Church, where she was a devoted member for over eighty years until her physical and mental decline made it unable for her to attend. As a youth Sunday School teacher, Mae taught and touched the lives of countless kids over the years. She was actively involved in church activities and served as Church Clerk for a number of years. Stidham Baptist Church truly was a second home for Mae for most of her life. October 5, 2008, was designated “Mae Jennings Day” at Stidham Baptist Church, celebrating her many years of unwavering service. Mae’s survivors include son Rick Jennings and wife Paula of Stidham, daughter Jean Spencer and husband Les of Muskogee, and daughter Lisa Ward and husband Jerry of Webbers Falls. Grandchildren include Lori Anson and husband Tony of Checotah, Kevin Miller-Jennings and husband Caleb of Oklahoma City, Jerry Brewer and wife Jenny of Pleasanton, California, Neil Brewer and wife Mary of Broken Arrow, Tye Weaver and wife Jenny of Eufaula, and Grant Ward of Webbers Falls.  Step-grandchildren include Josh Spencer and wife Amanda of Tahlequah and Alecia Campbell and husband Kenneth of Tahlequah. Great grandchildren include Nichole Lineberger, Ethan Lineberger, Talon Weaver, Cade Weaver, Beau Brewer, Paige Brewer, Kate Brewer, and Benjamin Brewer. Step-great grandchildren include Case Campbell and Greyson and Lynly Spencer. Mae is also survived by one brother Billy Joe Acord of Muskogee and one sister Judy Johnson and husband Carl of Muskogee, brother-in-law Donald Jennings and wife Shirley of Missouri City, Texas, and sister-in-law Kathy Jennings of Hartshorne.  Mae also leaves behind a host of extended family and lifetime friends. Mae is preceded in death by husband Leon Jennings, parents David and Lizzie Acord, grandparents Bart and Tiny Hill and William and Ida Acord, brother Robert Acord and wife Wilma, sister June Brackett and husband Junior, sister Evelena Starkey, brother-in-law Haskell Jennings and wife Naomi, sister-in-law Ruby Green and husband Bob, brother-in-law Larry Jennings, sister-in-law Betty Lou Acord, and parents-in-law Homer and Gladys Jennings. The family will greet friends from 2-4 Sunday, April 10, 2022. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Kelley Memorial Chapel with Reverend Gene Cook officiating. Burial will follow at the Moore Cemetery.