Dorothy Ann Jennings

Dorothy Ann Jennings, 82, of La Plata passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 31, 2009 at her home. Dorothy was born on September 21, 1926, the oldest daughter of Worth and Margaret Odom in Ozona, Texas. Three years later, Dorothy was joined by identical twin sisters, Helen and Jean. They were raised on a ranch outside of Iraan, Texas. Dorothy graduated from Iraan High School in 1944. She went to college at SMU in Dallas, Texas and graduated with a Business Degree in 1948. She met her future husband, Bob Jennings, in the summer of 1947 in Las Vegas, NM where her parents had moved. They married at the First Methodist Church in Las Vegas on October 30, 1948. While living and working on a ranch at Las Vegas, their two daughters, Camille and Helen, were born. The family moved to Farmington in 1956. Dorothy was always a very devoted mom and stayed at home while her girls were small. She was very active in PTA while they were in elementary school. Dorothy loved to cook, sew, and care for her yard. In 1963 she returned to Fort Lewis College to get her teaching degree. She began teaching business classes in the fall of 1964 at Kirtland Central High School and retired from teaching there in 1984. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching her students and working with her colleagues. The Jennings' family moved to La Plata, NM in 1969 on to an 80 acre farm where they raised Hereford cattle. Dorothy was the secretary for the La Plata Conservancy District for 33 years. She was also a faithful supporter of the 4-H programs and worked along side Bob when he was on the San Juan County Fair Board. Dorothy was a steadfast member of the First United Methodist Church in Farmington and taught Sunday School for many years. She attended the Friendship-Fellowship class there. Dorothy was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International, a society of key women educators. She was also a member of the NM Retired Teachers. Dorothy is survived by her husband of sixty years, Bob Jennings, her two daughters, Camille (Waylon) Waller of Las Cruces, and Helen (Bill) Harris of La Plata. She has three grandsons: Will (Melanie) Waller, Las Cruces; Rob Harris, Denver, CO and Ty Harris, Belen. She has a great-granddaughter, a great-grandson and two more great-grandsons on the way. She is also survived by a sister, Jean Easley, San Angelo, Texas. Pallbearers will be Will Waller, Rob Harris, Ty Harris, Mike Harris, John Dee Read, and Ben Hazelwood. Honorary Pallbearers will be J. T. Smith, Ray Horvath, Larry Goff, Mike Hayes, Daven Montoya and Randy Peck. Donations may be given in Dorothy's name to Alpha Zeta Scholarship Fund, 3105 Tulane Ave., Farmington, 87402. Dorothy is in the care of Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home 103 E. Ute Street Farmington, NM (505) 325-8688