Billie (Mary Anne) Jennings, age 80, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Cedar Lane Apartments, Leonardtown, MD

Billie was born Mary Anne Thomas on August 21, 1930 in Washington, DC to Beniti Magdalene Peacock and Charles Stewart Thomas. Her father nicknamed her Billie because she was the fourth girl, and he was hoping for a boy.

She attended St. Theresa's grade school in Anacostia in Washington, DC. Billie was a 1948 graduate of Notre Dame Academy in Washington, DC.She attended Business School and worked at the Navy Yard in Washington DC.

Billie married the love of her life, Joseph (Joe) Thomas Jennings, on June 5, 1954 in Washington DC. He preceded her in death on October 25, 2004.

In addition to her parents and husband, her sisters, Lucille Dabbs and Bette McCarthy, preceded her in death.

Billie spent the first couple of years of her marriage to Joe as the wife of a Naval Officer. Joe's Naval civilian career brought him to Patuxent River Naval Air Station, and they settled in St. Mary's County, Maryland in 1959 where they enjoyed thousands of sunsets overlooking the St. Mary's River.After raising her children and seeing them through their school years, Billie went to work for Sobstad Sails in Solomons, MD utilizing her sewing skills repairing sails, making boat covers & sail covers where she stayed until 1996.

Billie was a faithful member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in St. Mary's City and was responsible for the beauty of the church with her unique and amazing ability to arrange flowers into works of art. Billie was an active member of the St. Mary's County Garden Club, Women's Club of St. Mary's County, St. Ignatius Society and the St. Mary's River Yacht Club. Billie loved her gardening, sewing, and needle pointing, cooking and being a wonderful and loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Billie is survived by her three children Debbie (Scott) Styles of St. Mary's City, Vaughn (Debbie Jo) Jennings of Compton and Bryan (Meg) Jennings of Norton Shores, MI; seven grand children: Elizabeth Styles, Travis, Nicole and Courtney Jennings, and Leah, Sarah & Clair Jennings. She also is survived by her sister, Helen Early, her brother-in-law, Francis Jennings, her sister-in-law Mary Ann Brinton and many nieces and nephews.

Shortly after her husband Joe's death, Billie was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She stayed in her home for a short while and then moved to Cedar Lane Apartments where she lived for 5 ½ years. Cedar Lane became her home, where she was very happy. She always had a smile on her face and loved all of the wonderful staff. The last couple of years, Billie was confined to a wheel chair, so spent many hours sitting in the Health clinic with the "girls", where they laughed even when they didn't know why they were laughing. They brightened each other's day. The care that she received at Cedar Lane was phenomenal. Her family knew that she was loved and cared for, which was very comforting to the family.

The family will receive friends for Billie's Life Celebration on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 5 to 8 pm at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be recited at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 10 am at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in St. Mary's City with the Rev. Scott Woods officiating. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Cedar Lane, 22680 Cedar Lane Court, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.