Mark Jennings

(From Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home)

Mark Ray Jennings, age 57, of Verona, Missouri, passed away at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. He was born August 22, 1966, in Gainesville, Missouri, the son of Wallace and Rosie (Wiggins) Jennings.

Mark was a 1984 graduate of Forsyth High School in Forsyth, Missouri and received his bachelor's degree in education from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, Missouri. He was an elementary teacher in Exeter, Missouri. 

Mark loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with his children and the many foster children who came into the home. He enjoyed fishing, writing his own songs, and woodworking. He was a prayer warrior, continually praying for his family and others. He had a wonderful sense of humor and liked to play jokes on his family. Mark was a member of the Elm Branch Christian Church.

On August 13, 1988, he married Christina McKinney, in Houston, Missouri.

Mark is survived by his wife of 35 years, Christina; nine children, William Jennings of New York, Kammie Jennings of Springfield, Missouri, Randy (Jennifer) Jennings of Kansas, Ryan (Aleesha) Jennings of Aurora, Missouri, Kimberly Jennings of Verona, Missouri, Shelby (Ezekiel) Maples of Aurora, Missouri, Grace Jennings, Carrie Jennings and Laine Jennings both of Verona, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Rayden, Waylen, Madi, Jazzi, Westen, Eleanor and Elowyn; his parents, Wallace and Rosie Jennings of Protem, Missouri; two brothers, Pernell (Jackie) Jennings, of Arkansas and Delmar (Shannon) Jennings of Protem, Missouri.

A funeral service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, at the Elm Branch Christian Church. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to the Berean Christian Academy for Mark’s youngest daughter, Laine’s, tuition.