Our beautiful, sweet, and precious Mother went to her heavenly home on September 21, 2023, with her family beside her, holding her hands, as she entered into rest in the arms of Jesus. The sweetest soul, the biggest smile, the kindest heart ever known, the light to our days…our “Nunu.”
Norma was born at home in Verbena, Alabama to James Arthur and Ressie Neeley Chandler on August 12, 1931. Her family later moved to Montgomery, Alabama where she graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in [1950]. On October 6, 1955, she married the love of her life, Albert Franklin Jennings (Frank), at Burge Memorial Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. They were married for 62 years until he died in 2017 and we are rejoicing that they are now reunited in heaven. After graduation from high school, she entered her civil service career at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama where she proudly served for over 30 years. While there she earned many accolades and awards for her outstanding service to the United States Air Force. After her retirement, she spent many years caring for her grandchildren, loving on her mother, Nannie, sewing, reading, and cooking.
Norma loved so big with all her heart…God, her family, and her friends. She never met a stranger that didn’t become a friend. She diligently studied God’s word, loved to read, and was the absolute happiest on this earth in the presence of her family and dear friends. She was quite the cook and won the Alabama Beef Cookoff in 1989 and traveled to compete nationwide in Portland, Oregon.
Norma spent most of her life living in Montgomery and Elmore counties in Alabama, and the last 7 years in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where she resided at The Meridian at Westwood. There she proudly earned the “Best Friend Award”. She was a friend to all she met, always loving, always caring. She was a member of Holtville Riverside Baptist Church and later Mountain View Baptist Church in Wetumpka, Alabama, where she intently studied the Word of God. Once she moved to Fort Walton Beach, she attended church with her daughter at First United Methodist Church.
Norma cherished and leaves to grieve her two children, Kim Risalvato (Tom) and Al Jennings (Gina); her grandchildren, Mandy Holguin (Mike), Ashley Jennings Lege, Kristen Davis (James), and Andrew Jennings (Amanda); and her great-grandchildren whom she adored and treasured, Blake Holguin, Hailey Davis, Jameson Davis, Brice Holguin, Landon Jennings, and Hadleigh Jennings; her extended Risalvato grandchildren, Tommy (Sarah); Chris (Jennifer); Jeff (Abbey) and 8 additional great-grandchildren, Cody, Thomas, Asa, Anna-Katherine, Lizzy, Rhett, Harper and Olivia; many dear friends that became her family; and her loving pet who was with her until her last breath on this side of heaven, Cali. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank Jennings; and her brother, Herbert Chandler.
Services will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Mountain View Baptist Church, 1025 Rifle Range Road, Wetumpka, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., with services to follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Pine View Memorial Gardens, Wetumpka, Alabama.
Bro. Anthony Counts and Bro. Charlie Kuykendall will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Andrew Jennings, Mike Holguin, James Davis, Blake Holguin, and Chris Griffin.
There will also be a Celebration of Life service on Thursday, September 28, 2023, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, at First United Methodist Church, at 2:00 p.m. Rev Gillian Walters and Rev. Chris Krol will be officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Gassett Funeral Home in Wetumpka, Alabama. Flowers are accepted.
Rest in heaven, Nunu … waiting for the day we will see you again. “She is clothed with strength and dignity…her children arise and call her blessed…honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31. We love you!
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