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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2019)
March 20, 2019 Obituary In Loving Memory Annie Isabell Jennings Annie Isabell Jennings (Hayes) passed away March 6, 2019 at the age of 96, surrounded by family at her longtime north Portland home. She was preceded in death by husband Vernon Jennings; son Meade Lee Grier Jr., daughters Judith Anne Brooks and Reva Mae Lawrence (Grier); grand- son Brian Ballard; granddaughter Hatina Brooks; sister Margaret; and brothers Remus, Ersel, Rich- ard, William (Poodle), and Arthur Hayes; and her dog Snoopy. She was born Nov. 30, 1922 to William A. Hayes and Minnie Jackson in Forest Green, Mo., but spent the bulk of her growing up years in Sioux City, Iowa where her father, a deacon tended a farm and her mother took special pride in fixing large dinners to bring townspeople together. She married Meade Lee Grier Sr. in Twinsburg, Ohio with whom she had two of her children. After his passing she returned to Sioux City, and then, shortly after the 1948 Vanport Flood, she would follow the man she would later marry for life, Army serviceman Vernon Jen- nings, thousands of miles across the country to make a forever home in Portland. The two joined in union in Page 11 1952 and welcomed four new chil- dren into their family. She spent years working in canneries, and many years more as a homemaker, sometimes walk- ing miles to get to job sites during a time when buses didn’t run so well; She also didn’t learn to drive until her 50s. When she finally did get her license, she shared a spe- cial love for her Chevy Malibu and did not stop driving until well into her 80s. She was a devout follower of Christ, and had no problem letting folks know. One of her favorite things to tell people was to “keep looking up,” and she would often depart by telling folks “see you in the funny papers.” Annie also knew the impor- tance of service. For many years she served as a Girl Scouts leader, a position she took a lot of pride in. Additionally, she spent many campaign cycles at the County Elections Office making sure ev- ery vote got counted. Bringing people together was one of her favorite things to do, whether through block parties, New Year’s breakfasts or im- promptu family dinners. When Annie said come, you come. She is survived by sons Mar- das, Ricky and Jimmy Jennings; her daughter and longtime care- taker Cheryl Jennings; sisters Telsia Hayes and Viola Sanders; along with a host of grandchil- dren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. She will be greatly missed. Saving the Carousel C ontinued from P age 3 ments. “Returning the Jantzen Beach Carousel to the Portland/Vancou- ver metro area is a development opportunity of historic propor- tions. An opportunity like this only comes around once in a life- time,” said Peggy Moretti, execu- tive director of Restore Oregon. Moretti said her group has al- ready held productive conversa- tions with government officials, developers and property owners in both Portland and Vancouver, but is eager to connect with oth- er potential community partners. “We don’t want to leave any stone unturned,” she said. Former State Sen. Margaret Carter, co-chair of the Jantzen Beach Carousel Blue Ribbon Committee, spoke passionately about the importance of having a public attraction that is affordable. “For generations of Oregonians and Washingtonians, the Jantzen Beach Carousel was a wonderful, affordable way for families to go have fun. Affordability should be our goal for the future. It’s all about family,” said Carter. Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish said the carousel can become Portland’s next great attraction, “bringing smiles to generations of children. Let’s return the carousel to Portland!” he said. Designed and built by C.W. Parker in 1921, the Jantzen Beach Carousel is one of the biggest and fastest wooden carousels of its type left in the world. Weighing Spreading Hope for Children Portland’s Temple Baptist Church, 1319 N.E. Seventh Ave., invites the community to hear from the Ugandan Kids Choir. These talented Ugandan children delight audiences with traditional African songs and dances as part of a ministry to help children in need all around the world. They will perform Sunday, March 24 at 10 a.m. for about 30 minutes before the church’s Sunday’s sermon. BUSINESSGuide approximately 20 tons, it has a di- ameter of 67 feet and features four rows of 72 horses, plus two elabo- rately carved chariots. Despite widespread adoration, the carousel provided its last ride on April 22, 2012. It was then dis- assembled and placed in storage, with no concrete plans for return- ing it to the public. It was donated to Restore Oregon in late 2017. Its future depends on securing a per- manent new site. 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