Ruthie Mae Jennings

Ruthie Mae Jennings, 90, 2529 E. 32nd St., passed on to eternity on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, at her residence. She was born in Little Rock, Ark., on May 11, 1920, a daughter of the late Ernest and Irella Battles Lewis. She was a resident of Erie for 46 years, relocating here from Memphis, Tenn. She was retired from Hamot Medical Center, after 14 years of service, where she worked in the Housekeeping Dept. A committed servant of God, she was a long-time, faithful member of Shiloh Baptist Church where she served on the Deaconess Board. Ruthie, or "Gramma" as she was known by many, loved going to church, working, and reading her Bible. She really enjoyed watching television, especially football, news, Matlock, Wheel of Fortune and was a big In the Heat of the Night fan. She was an excellent cook and will be remembered for her special batch of cornbread, succulent greens, savory homemade rolls and "special made" Saturday morning pancakes (and she would leave the leftovers for the neighborhood cats). She was an amazing inspiration and pillar of strength for her family, friends and neighbors, was devoted to her family and friends and could always make people laugh with her quick wit, humor and old stories. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Solomon Robert Jennings; two children, Helen Jennings-Brewington and Solomon Jennings; three brothers, Carlee, Harry and Charles Lewis; and a sister, Ernestine Cunningham. She leaves to cherish her memory a son, Charles Jennings; a daughter, Mari Anne (Tyrone) Clark; a sister, Annie B. Jells; a son-in-law, Edward James; a daughter-in-law, Myrtle Jennings; 14 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Shiloh Baptist Church, 901 E. 5th St. A service will follow at 1 p.m. with Overseer Curtis L. Jones of New Life and Spirit Revival Center officiating and Bishop Clifton McNair III of Word of Life Christian Center eulogizing. Interment in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Funeralization by Law Funeral Home, 2926 Pine Ave.