Her Art Work       Family Picture Album

In memory of Verda-Mae (Lowe) Jennings
October 27, 1915 to January 8, 2000

Verda-Mae Jennings, beloved wife and mother, was born October 27, 1915, in Chicago, Illinois, as Verda-Mae Lowe. Educated in Chicago, she developed an active interest in aviation which led her to obtain a private pilot’s license and join the military at the beginning of WWII. While stationed at Sweetwater, Texas, she was trained for military pilot service and, after receiving her wings, became a member of a pioneer group known as WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots). Shortly thereafter, she was transferred to Williams Air Force Base in Arizona to serve as a test pilot where she met and married Irwin L. Jennings. Together they served tours of duty in the United States and North Africa. When their foreign tour of duty ended, they returned to the United States where they settled in Mesa, Arizona, and subsequently retired.

Verda-Mae was active with women’s clubs, swimming, hunting, and her hobby of oil painting. Some of her artwork has been used by a national greeting card company. She also enjoyed playing the organ, cake decorating, and sewing.

Her 55-year marriage was ended by cancer, complicated by obesity, high blood pressure, arthritis, and diabetes, on January 8, 2000 at 12:30 p.m., at the age of 84. She is survived by her husband Irwin L. Jennings, retired USAF, her son Charles A. Jennings, a professional counselor in private practice, and her grandson, Brian D. Jennings. The funeral service was held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2000, at Melcher Mortuary’s Mission Chapel located at 6625 East Apache Trail, Mesa, Arizona, 85205.