Hello, everybody. My name is Rose Mary Jennings, and I want to welcome all of you to my birthday celebration and homegoing service. I had intended on being there, but God saw fit to call me home on Tuesday, May 12, so that I could celebrate with the angels. And boy, what a time we’re having! Well, I figured I needed to tell you some things about me, especially for those of you who don’t know me. I was born in Dallas on this day, May 24, in 1949. My mama was Florence, and my daddy’s name was Dave. I was the baby girl of ten children. Peggy, Dorothy, and Stella were my older sisters. Floyd and Curtis were my older brothers. Then came Robert, Stanley, Ervie Lee, and Ronald Ray.

 

My mama utilized her village, since she had so many children, and allowed my great-uncle and aunt, K. E. Brown and Irene Brown, to help raise me. When Aunt Irene died, Aunt Ethel, her sister, helped Daddy nurture me.

 

I went to Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church with Aunt Ethel as a little girl. Under the leadership of Pastor Cannon, I was baptized on Copeland Street and remained a faithful member there until the Lord called me home under the leadership of Bishop Jeffery D. Thomas, Sr. I loved my church! That was the highlight of my week. I looked forward to dressing up every Sunday with my hat and my handkerchief.

 

I graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968. I worked several jobs at Texas Instruments and Dallas Independent School District. Ultimately, I retired from Domestic Services after more than 30 years.

 

I started my family at an early age. First were my twins, Latonia, who we call “Toni,” and Dedrick, who is married to Chandra. Then came Samuel Wayne, who is married to Katrina. Those three were my greatest blessings. I loved them, and I loved bragging on their accomplishments even more. They made me so proud. I didn’t think life could get any better until my grandchildren were born: Sametrice, Katrell, Daja, and Sloan. They kept me smiling. But out of all my kids and grandkids, none brought me greater joy than the birth of my great-grandbaby, Bailey Rose. She was named after me, and she was the apple of my eye.

 

Well, that’s my story, short and sweet. I hope that you enjoy my celebration. I have to get back to my heavenly birthday party. Bye-bye.