JENNINGS, Mollie

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 11/30/2004 Mollie Jennings passed away peacefully at her home on Thanksgiving Day after a long and energetic life and a brief final illness. A daughter of Cephas Ford Perkins and Louise Ellen Gillespie Perkins, Mollie was born at her Grandparent's home in Barkhamstead, Conn Jan. 4, 1918. She was raised on the family ranch near Holbrook, where she formed an permanent attachment to the land, and has spent much of her life there. During her lifetime, Mollie had varied and productive careers. After graduation from Holbrook High School, she attended secretarial school in Phoenix, then returned home to work for the A & B Schuster Company where she kept books for many years. She was also secretary for the Navajo County Attorney. After her marriage to returning soldier Charlie Jennings after WWII, she moved to Show Low where he operated his business. Although she had small children, she was resourceful in helping the young family to prosper while working from home. During this time, she was a reporter for the Arizona Republic and also started a successful Chicken to Go take-out restaurant in her kitchen and front room, while carrying a baby boy on her hip and with a little girl tagging along. In 1969, Mollie started Jennings Realty, in Holbrook, and remained as owner and active partner until shortly before her death. Although she didn't seek public recognition, she was generous in the contribution of her skills and assets to the community, including providing real estate expertise which was needed during the formation and subsequent expansion of the Holbrook Senior Citizen s Center, and the donation of land for inclusion into the Hidden Cove Golf Course. For the past several decades, Mollie had returned to her roots, living on the ranch which she cherished. Even in recent years, she could be found walking the mesas and draws of the ranch, commenting on conditions of the cattle and pastures, the effects of the drought, and always eager to point out the unique characteristics of varied plants and landmarks, along with her history in relation to them. At the time of her death, Mollie was a member of the Arizona Cattlegrower's Association, the Cowbelles, and was a Past Matron on the Order of Eastern Star. She was on the Navajo County Board of ReaMollie Perkins Jennings. She is survived by her daughter, Jerrie Schade Paschal, her grandsons, Randy Murph and Casey Murph, and great-Grandson, Riley Murph. She was preceded in death by her son Fred, husband Charlie, sisters, Elizabeth Walker and Dorothy Nordyke and her brother Cephas A. Perkins, as well as her parents.