Victoria P. Jennings

VICTORIA PICKETT JENNINGS, the third child of seven of the late Thomas and Laura Jane (Kennedy) Pickett, was born on August 13, 1918 in Rocky Point, North Carolina. Victoria received her education in the Pender County School System, Rock Point, North Carolina. She later completed training and received a certificate for children medical emergencies from the Red Cross. Her early life was spent on her parent's farm, which had a variety of fruits and vegetables including strawberries, pears, apples, string beans, sweet potatoes and peanuts. There were also animals on the farm which included mules, cows, pigs and a horse by the name of Black Beauty. Victoria would tell the stories of how she and her siblings used to playfully tease Black Beauty by saying, “Give me fire, Black Beauty!”, and he would start chasing them. Black Beauty was a loving horse and they knew he would not hurt them, but that didn't stop them from running as fast as they could to dive under the house. In 1936, she became a part of the great migration when she left North Carolina to live with a cousin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The following year she moved to Baltimore, Maryland to live with her oldest sister, Catherine. After moving to Baltimore, Victoria met Frank Everett Jennings, and on November 1, 1938 they were united in Holy Matrimony. From this marriage, they were blessed with five children: Daniel, Frank Jr., Janet, Allen and Yvonne. Her husband Frank Sr., and three children, Daniel, Janet (14 months old) and Allen, all preceded her in death. Victoria joined the fellowship of the Israel Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Edmond D. Meade, Sr., in 1945 and continued her discipleship under the Reverend Dr. Harlie Walden Wilson, II. She served as an active member of the Pastor's Support Ministry (formerly Pastor's Aide) and the Silver Eagles Ministry (Senior Citizens). Victoria often made visits to the sick as member of the Senior Citizens Ministry. As a dedicated member of the Pastor's Aide, Victoria was a part of the rotation for preparing elaborate dinners for Pastor and First Lady Wilson. Victoria was a loving wife and mother who instilled discipline, character and responsibility in her children. Her loving presence also extended to the other children in the neighborhood. She baby-sat for several neighborhood families, she later opened her house for daycare services, she was a foster parent to three children and she also provided housing for several Morgan State University students. Her home was “summer vacation” for her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Victoria was known for her mouthwatering pound cakes, carrot cakes, Jewish Apple cakes, sweet potato pies, apple and peach cobblers, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, collards, turnips and mustard greens. In the very early hours of Monday, November 11, 2013 at 12:31 a.m., Victoria Pickett Jennings peacefully departed this earthly life in the presence of her daughter, where God, in His infinite wisdom, came to take her to her eternal resting place where she will join her loved ones who have gone on before. Victoria will be missed by all who loved her and the many people whose lives she touched. To cherish her wonderful and loving memory, Victoria leaves: two children, Frank Jr. (Verline) and Yvonne; two daughters-in-law, Patricia and Helen; one sister, Catherine (97 years old); three sisters-in-law, Mary Harvin, Nell Jennings and Susie Pickett; nine grandchildren, Stephanie (Cedric), Dexter (Gloria), Natlie, Toney, Dwayne (Victoria), Nicole, Aaron, Danielle and Erika; fifteen great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Stephen, Brandon, Michelle, Regina, Victoria, Dwayne, Justin, Taylor, Lauren, Chase, Luke, Nacala, Everett and Gabrielle; one great-great-grandchild, Allaynah; one loving goddaughter/niece, Debra Medlin; three special lifelong neighbors who are an extension of this family and better known as “The Browns”, Dora Sapp, Barbara Cherry and Elaine Brown; and a host of other relatives and friends. Victoria was also preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Clyde, Clarence, James and Thomas Jr., and two sisters, Beatrice and Betty Ruth.

Tributes

Victoria P. Jennings

August 13, 1918 - November 11, 2013