Nell Jennings

MARION, Ill. -- Nell Jennings, 84, of Marion, formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed away Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, at Heartland Regional Hospital in Marion.

She was born June 3, 1935, in Broseley, Missouri, daughter of Alvin and Ida Thom Hildrich. She and Carl Jennings were married Nov. 10, 1956, in Broseley. He passed away in 2005.

Nell grew up in Broseley attending Broseley schools and singing in a trio at the Little Vine Baptist Church, where she met Carl. Nell enjoyed sewing, quilting and cooking. She was a loving mother and wife. She used her sewing and cooking talents to provide for her family. She was known for her chicken and homemade noodles as well as her coconut cream pie. She also had extraordinary love for children and worked in child care for many years.

Loving survivors include children, Janet (Don) Miller of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Don (Teresa) Jennings of Arcadia, Oklahoma, and Sherry Jennings of Cape Girardeau; sister, Valene Dickey of Dardanelle, Arkansas; grandchildren, Jacob, Gracie and Bob Jennings and Bethany and Mick Miller; and a great-grandchild, Isabelle Miller.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Margaret Frank and Linda Hager; and four brothers, Ed and Raymond Stark and Fred and Dale Porter.

Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with the Rev. Renita Green officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Alzheimer's Association, 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-3253. Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.