On March 4, 2008, an earth angel departed this world and joined her Lord and his host of angels
in heaven. Annie "Ann" Ruth Jennings, 83, died at Timberlane Health and Rehab, a place of
love and care that had been herhome for almost two years. Born October 24, in Sandy Bend,
Arkansas, Ann was the daughter of Searcy Leonard and Birdie Lee Saunders.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 54 years, Olon "Red" Jennings; four
sisters, Mary Martin, Helen Vaughn, Dru Wilson, and Joy Russell; and one brother S.L.
Saudners, Jr.

Left to celebrate her life are her daughter, Cindy Renfroe, and her husband Gary, of El Dorado;
her grandson, John Marks, of Little Rock; three brothers, Jim Saunders and his wife Louise, of
Longview, Texas; John Saunders and his wife, Marvene, of Sandy Bend; and Bill Saunders and
his wife, Ethel, of Diamondhead; a beloved host of nieces, nephews, and friends and her grand-
dog, Doc.

Being raised in a rural farmhouse in Sandy Bend, Ann had many tales to relate about the
adventures of growing up with her eight siblings. She often remarked that she could never get
rich picking cotton but was richly blessed with a loving family-even with the love of her oldest
brother, Searcy, who threatened and then attempted to drop her in the well because he wanted a
brother instead of another sister. As for her four sisters, the moments they spent jumping on
feather beds and "girl" talking were times Ann treasured. This family closeness has since been
celebrated with many joyous reunions in family homes and on the Ouachita River banks. At
family gatherings, the prayer of her beloved brother, Jim, brought tears of joy and thankfulness
for the many blessings the Lord had given them. Ann graduated from Strong High School where
she was an honor student, outstanding baesketball player, and terrific jitter bug dancer.
Following granduation, she began working as a waitress in the City Café' in El Dorado and later
as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell/AT&T. She retired from that company as a
customer representative after 37 years of service.

Along her journey in life, she met Red and after a courtship marked with monetary/car use
bribing of Ann's brothers, John and Bill, to give the two time alone, Red and Ann were married
on December 7 l942, in the Urbana High School. Their family became complete with the birth of
a daughtr, Cindy, in l952. Being a mom, Ann was always there to share her unlimited, unselfish
love even thugh according to close sources, Cindy could be quite a rascal.

As a woman full of devotion to the Lord and children, Ann was perhaps best known as "Miss
Ann" to the parents of three year olds at Immanuel Baptist Church. Mr. Red and she shared their
faith in Jesus each Sunday in the singing of songs, teaching of Jesus's love, and the enjoying of
juice and crackers for almost 30 years.

Her enthusiastic spirit was daunting in her never-wavering support of her beloved Arkansas
Razorbacks. Calling those hogs with the best of them, she attended football and basketball
games for a number of years. Having never driven, Ann was fortunate after the death of Her
husband to have brother Bill and sister-in-law Ethel take her to root for her football team. Her
basketball game buddies, Juanet Gaskin, Margie Turner, and Billye Tucker shared many good
times as they followed those Hogs dressed in their matching Razorback outfits.

Ann ws also a woman of beauty, grace, and style-always dressed to a "T" with her knack for
matching clothing and accessories. That talent led her to working in her spare time at the former
Lady Bug and Jean's Dress Shop. She enjoyed modeling at many functions with her own little
'prissy' walk and immaculate head to toe grooming thanks to her friend and hairdresser, Jo
Huskey.

Perhapes the finest time in her life was the arrival in l978 of her grandson, John. Her devotion to
him was evident in the time she spent with him as he grew up. She was proud of each
accomplishment he made and was beaming on his graduation day from law school.

From water skiing without getting her hair wet to fixing a bacon and cheese toast breakfast for
grand-gog, Doc, Ann gave meaning to the phrase "Life is a Gift." Allowing her to live life to the
fullest as they greatly enriched her days were numerous friends, neighbors, and members of her
Sunday School Class and the congregation of Immanuel Baptist Church. Even after her health
began to fail, God placed people in midst to ensure that her life went on albeit at a slower pace.
Her neighbors, Tommy and Lucille Kendrick, and the staff of Timberlane became not only her
care givers but extended family.

A celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, in the sanctuary of the
Immanuel Baptist Church with Bro. Ben Wasson and Bro. Tommy Nash officiating. Burial will
follow at Rest Haven Cemetery under the direction of Perry's Funeral Chapels.

Visitation will be held today from 5 till 7 p.m. at Perry's
Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church building fund, 701 S. West Aveneue,
El Dorado, Arkansas 71730, or to the Union County Animal Protection Society, 100 Sunset
Road, El Dorado, Arkansas, 71730