Margaret Jennings

Margaret Elaine Hill was born August 30, 1930, in Wellington, Kansas. She was daughter number two of what would be four girls in the future. Over time they realized both girls were deaf. The family moved to Wichita for better schools. After they finished seventh grade, they enrolled in KSD, Kansas School for the Deaf, where they earned their high school diplomas. Margaret was senior class Salutatorian and “Most Efficient Student of the Year.”

After high school Margaret worked at Beech Aircraft as a welder and assembly line for three and half years. Margaret met Richard Lewis (R.L.) Jennings while in KSD and were sweethearts. On May 4, 1952, they were married and by Fall of 1957 there were three children. Ronald (Red), Donald, and Bonnie. The family moved to Arnett to be close to family and the farm. This would be their forever hometown.

In 1961 the family became complete with the arrival of Lewis Laine Jennings. 1962 marked the beginning of Jennings Construction Company. Margaret was R.L.’s helper. She ran the tractor helping place footings, painting, installing wood floors. As the company grew, Margaret opened Meg’s Upholstery in the town square. Her business flourished with clients from Amarillo to OKC and many surrounding towns. After five years she closed the shop. R.L. and Margaret bought his parents’ dairy operation and Margaret began milking and farming while R.L. did carpentry work. They maintained the dairy for eight years.

Margaret was offered a job at OSD, Oklahoma School for the Deaf in Sulphur. Her love for children made her a favorite among the students. She worked for 15 years as teacher’s aide and house parent. After she retired, they bought a camper and joined Deaf Campers Association. They reconnected with old friends and made new friendships. It was a wonderful time for them.

R.L. passed in 2015. Margaret moved to Stillwater and lived with Bonnie, her daughter, and son-in-law, Don Waters. In 2017, Don, Bonnie, and Margaret moved to Elmore City where she maintained residency until passing away on June 17, 2026, at Windmill Village in Lubbock, Texas while visiting Donald and Carol. Margaret was known as Grandma Maggie to more than her grandchildren. She was loved and admired by all who got to know her. She is with R.L. and they are verbally talking, no hands or lip reading required. It was a good life, now it’s a brighter life in Heaven.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Henry Hill; mother, Juanita Iola (Space) Hill; and three sisters: Adelia Mae McGuire, Roberta Jean Hagan, and Carolyn Ann Sparman, DeHaven.

She is survived by her four children: Red Jennings of Arnett, Donald Jennings and wife Carol of Lubbock, TX, Bonnie B. Waters and husband Don of Elmore City, OK, and Lewis Jennings and wife Tracy of Arnett; seven grandchildren: Kyle Bradee Waters and wife Kate of Stillwater, OK, Trey Rylee Waters and wife Bambi of Edmond, OK, Dallas Desiree Waters and husband Joey Gamble of Chandler, OK, Lewis Wade Jennings and wife Kori of Lubbock, TX, Kris Ann Blodgett and husband Randy of Lubbock, TX, Bradley Laine Jennings and wife Kelli of Enid, OK, Clay Thomas Jennings and wife Jessie J. of Casper, WY; eleven great grandchildren: Jacob Russell Waters of Stillwater, OK, Blakely K. Waters of Edmond, OK, Taytum R. Waters of Edmond, OK, Ryson Wade Jennings of Lubbock, TX, Paisley Brooke Jennings of Lubbock, TX, Bliss Hazel Jennings of Lubbock, TX, Carson Dean Blodgett of Lubbock, TX, Carson Dean Blodgett of Lubbock, TX, Joslyn Joy Blodgett of Lubbock, TX, Nehemiah Laine Jennings of Enid, OK, Elliott John Jennings of Enid, OK, and Rylee Elaine Moore of Chandler, OK.

Memorials may be made to School for the Deaf, Sulphur, OK
c/o of Shaw Funeral Home
P.O. Box 276
Vici, OK 73859