Florence Jennings

Florence Jennings, 61, of Indianapolis, Indiana went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in her residence. 

Florence was born October 7, 1961 to the union of the late Robert W. and Betty L. Malone in Chicago, Illinois. A lifelong learner, “Flo,” as she was affectionately called, began her education journey attending Lewis Chaplain before transferring to Bradwell Elementary when the family moved to the east side of Chicago in 1969. She continued her education at South Shore High School before landing at Kennedy King College. She was the proud mother of Alfred D. Malone, who preceded her in death, Marlina D. Malone, and Christopher Smalls. 

In 1989, she returned to Chicago and began a career in sales, working for Kinkos (10 years) and, later, Babies-R-Us in Mishawaka, Indiana. A helper by nature, she later transitioned into education, being employed by the South Bend Community School Corporation and YMCA for several years. She loved her career in social work and teaching! This love fueled her desire to complete her “dream degree,” a Bachelors of Social Work, from Indiana University South Bend in May 2019. In May 2022, she took her education one step further and earned her Master’s Degree from IUPUI. A proud moment indeed! 

On February 14, 2003, Florence married the love of her life Brian K. Jennings, Sr., in New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to her new husband, she became “Ma” to two beautiful “bonus” children – Brian Jr., and Adrianna. Brian and Florence committed their life to Christ together in 2003, and labored diligently at Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Superintendent Leroy W. Sutton and Pastor Lee D. Ross, Sr. There she faithfully served on the Helping Hands Ministry, Minister’s and Deacon’s Wives’, Usher Board, early morning breakfast ministry for Sunday School, Joy Center Coordinator, and Souvenir Book Committee. She loved her church family, her Pastor, and more importantly, her Lord. After relocating to Indianapolis in 2020, she began attending Hope Worship Center COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Ron Pulliam. 

Those left to cherish her memory are four children: Marlina D. Herron (Sylvester) of Indianapolis, Christopher L. Smalls (Angie), Brian Jennings, Jr., and Adrianna Jennings both of South Bend; adopted son, Arsenio Harrison; grandchildren: Amnistea Wilson and Jayden Wilson of Indianapolis, Margeaux Smalls, Edith Smalls, and Derek Smalls of Florida, Clarity Jennings and Adrien Jennings of South Bend; her surviving siblings: Grace Branch (James) and Demetrius Malone of South Bend, Eddie Evans (Karen) of Indianapolis, Robert Malone of Cincinnati, Ohio, Daniel Malone (Dawn) of Louisiana, and Barbara Ann Foster, Betty Jean Mavery, and William Anderson of Wisconsin; mother-in-love: Sharon Jennings of South Bend, sister-in-love: Leslie McGhee (Karl), brother-in-love: Daryl Jennings, Sr; godsons, Andrew Sutherland of South Bend and Isaiah Wilson of Hershey, Pennsylvania. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and special friends. 

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