Hattie Louise Jennings, 97, of Shelby, NC, passed away peacefully in the early hours of September 26, 2026.

Hattie was beloved by so many. Born as Hattie Louise Hewitt on August 17, 1929, in Greenville, Arkansas, to Alex and Ida Hewitt. She had at least 16 siblings. All the aforesaid have preceded her in death. For much of her life, she went by her middle name, Louise, but later in life embraced her first name, Hattie. She was married twice and had 6 children, one of whom died shortly after birth, Carlton Jennings. She had two other sons who preceded her in death, Jesse James Griffin and Robert Earl Richards. She has 3 living daughters, Frankie Jean Priest (husband Larry Priest), Teresa Ann Jennings, and Cynthia Ann Gordon (husband Kelvin Kenneth Gordon Sr., deceased). She has 9 grandchildren: Jared Priest, Neesha Berry, Jesse Collins, Jabbar Bennett, Demetrius Griffin, Davon Nathan Gordon, Kelvin Kenneth Gordon, Jr., LaNita Faye Gordon, and Jerrae Da’Lon Gordon (who she often claimed as her child). She also had many great-grandchildren and at least 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Hattie will be remembered for strong and unwavering faith and love for Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ. She was dedicated and baptized in 1961 and served more than 65 years as a faithful and unwavering Jehovah’s Witness. She especially enjoyed preaching and teaching people about her faith and hope for the future. Hattie worked as a domestic to many rich and affluent people so that she could maintain the flexibility to raise her children and serve her God. Because of her faith, she had witnessed to four generations of her family and witnessed many embrace her faith. She treasured time spent with family. She loved country music, houseplants, playing her guitar, and children. She lived in many places: Arkansas, Michigan, New Jersey, and North Carolina.

Hattie loved Kingdom songs and enjoyed watching Bible dramas. Some of her children's fondest memories are of her humming along with the songs. Among her favorite Bible dramas were "Daniel: A Lifetime of Faith", parts one and two, and the 6-part series "The Good News According to Jesus." All of these items and so much more Bible-based media can be accessed on JW.org, which is free access to the public.

We, the family, invite you to the celebration of her life and hope for the future, which will be held on October 25 at 4:30 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at: 7415 Oakland Dr., Portage, Mi. 49024. 

There will also be a Zoom live presentation at the same time. The access information is as follows: 718 207 027 Password: 036206

Those who knew Hattie will forever cherish the love, laughter, strong will, and unwavering faith of Hattie Louise Jennings.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Hattie's guestbook and share your favorite memory of her with her family. 

The Jennings family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002. (269) 344-5600.