Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Jennings, Beatrice J. November 8, 2006
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Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com September 2, 2015, 7:14 pm

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Wednesday, November 15, 2006
NORFOLK - Beatrice J. Jennings, 78, of the 700 block of B. Ave., departed this 
life peacefully surrounded by her family Nov. 8, 2006, at her home. She was born 
Sept. 26, 1928, in Newark, N.J., to the late Thomas and Beatrice Christopher. 
Shortly after her mother's passing, she was brought to Norfolk where she was 
nurtured and raised by her aunt and uncle, the late Mae and Mack Jones. She was 
predeceased by her husband, Robert W. Jennings Sr. and her son, Robert W. 
Jennings Jr. 

Mrs. Jennings graduated from Booker T. Washington High School at the age of 16 
in 1945 and received her Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood from 
Norfolk State College in 1963, graduating second in her class. She served as a 
center director for the Norfolk Recreation Dept. and taught elementary school 
for the City of Norfolk for 17 years. She had a love for fashion and decided to 
go into the clothing business before receiving her calling to return to the 
neighborhood from which she was raised. Her mission, to revive the Huntersville 
community, gave birth and life to the Olde Huntersville Development Corp., a 
non-profit community development corporation that rehabilitated and constructed 
over 120 affordable homes for low and moderate income families. Her tenacity, 
perseverance and commitment to service won her favor with the secretary of the 
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Gov. Tim Kaine and the former 
governor of Virginia, the Honorable Douglas Wilder, James and Patty Rouse of the 
Enterprise Foundation and numerous others who recognized Mrs. Jennings' 
enthusiasm in wanting to make a difference. 

A renowned civic leader and community developer, Mrs. Jennings served on various 
boards and commissions across the State of Virginia addressing affordable 
housing. She was a former housing commissioner with the Norfolk Redevelopment 
and Housing Authority and chairperson of the Empowerment 2010 Inc.'s Citizens 
Advisory Board. 

Mrs. Jennings received many prestigious honors and appointments for her 
contribution to community development and humanitarianism. She twice received 
the title of Virginia's "Unsung Hero" featured by Newsweek magazine and was 
interviewed by Harry Reasoner of the television program "60 Minutes." She was 
honored by South Hampton Roads Urban League and presented with the Dr. Martin 
Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" award for community service. In June 2006, she 
was selected and honored by Gov. Tim Kaine and the Virginia Housing Coalition 
during their 25th year anniversary celebration, for her contribution in 
providing affordable housing in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

She was a devoted member of Second Calvary Baptist Church and a proud honorary 
member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. A timeless and precious treasure, she 
lived life to the fullest. She loved to travel and to be in the company of her 
family and friends. During her more intimate times, she wrote beautiful music, 
poetry and authored a book. Mrs. Jennings will always be remembered for her 
flair of fashion, her love of music and dance and her passion for others. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her four daughters, Beatrice Garvin-Thompson 
(Weldon), Joy Jennings, Vicki Hubbard (Harold) and Candy Jennings; one sister, 
Dorothy Howard of Newark, N.J.; one granddaughter, Joy Baskerville; six 
grandsons, Charles Robert Wade Jennings III, Wayne Garvin Jr. (Pernell), Donald 
McCoy (Kisha), Rodney Garvin (Veronica), Sean Garvin and Christopher Scott; one 
stepgrandson, Ryan Hubbard; two stepgranddaughters, Tawana Hardy and Maria 
Thompson; 15 great- grandchildren; a special nephew, Joseph "Jo-Jo" Howard; a 
surrogate son, Moses Howard Jr.; a devoted and lifelong friend, Marion Williams; 
and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. 

A wake will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at Graves Funeral Home. A memorial 
service celebrating Mrs. Jennings' life, will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in 
Second Calvary Baptist Church, 2940 Corprew Ave., Norfolk, with the Rev. Dr. 
Geoffrey Guns officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery . 

The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Thomas 
Manser and the Sentara Hospice Program for all of the hard work and dedicated 
care that was given to Mrs. Jennings during her last days in this life.

Additional Comments:
Calvary Cemetery

JENNINGS, BEATRICE CHRISTAPHER	534	Section OLD CALVARY, Block F, Space 18	78	
F	11/17/2006

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