Bessie "Lucille" (Haffer) Jennings

Bessie "Lucille", nee Haffer Downing Jennings, born August 29, 1936, passed away Saturday February 17, 2018.  Lucille was preceded in death by parents, William and Ida Matchell Haffer; husband, James Downing and husband, Kenneth Jennings;  three sisters, Wanetta Haffer, Hallie McConnell and Gladys Hammond; three brothers, Archie, Claude and Raymond Haffer; and brother-in-law, John Doss. She was married to James "Jimmy" Downing and four children were born to this union. 

She is survived by her four children, Kenneth Downing of Linn Creek, MO, Bonnie Downing Reuther (Larry) of Eolia, Missouri, Linda Downing Steger (Ken) of Springfield, Missouri, and Donna Downing Young (Keith) of Steelville, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Dwayne, Tasha, Travis, Amy, Patrick, Ryan, Jennifer, Joshua, and Jessica; eleven great-grandchildren;  four sisters, Ruth Thomas of St. Louis, Melba Doss of Rolla, Ruby Barman (Bill) of St. Louis, Bonnie Fern McClain (Bob) of Steelville; one brother, Floyd "Bud" Haffer of St. James; one sister-in-law, Mary Haffer of St. James; and a host of relatives and friends.

Lucille was a graduate of Steelville High School and was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Lucille enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting and going to yard sales. She spent her last years at the Missouri Baptist Home in Ironton, Missouri.

The Family received friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with great-nephew, William "Billy" Gowers officiating. Special music of "Wayfaring Stranger" was sung by niece, Norma E. Taylor. Other music of "I Can Only Imagine" and "Go Rest High" was played.

Honored to be casket bearers were Caleb Weber, great nephews, Jason Gowers, Gary Gowers, Brian Taylor, Floyd "Buddy" Haffer, Willie Haffer.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Haffer Family Cemetery, Steelville, MO.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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