Nina Erline Jennings

Nina Erline Jennings passed from her earthly life to heaven on December 7, 2024, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She would have celebrated her 89th birthday on February 21, 2025.

Erline was born at home in Bloomburg, Texas, and was the daughter of the late Vernon Ray Jennings, Sr. and Nina B Herring Jennings of Vivian, Louisiana.

Erline graduated from Vivian High School and was a proud graduate of Northwestern State College (now University). She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from NSC. She would tell you, in a skinny minute, to “Wreck Tech” during football season.

Following graduation from NSC, “Miss Jennings” spent the next 30 or so years teaching youngsters at Waller Elementary in Bossier City, Louisiana. She loved teaching and her students loved her in return. Nothing pleased her more than to see her former students and to catch up with what was happening in their lives.

Mardi Gras was her favorite time of the year. She was active in the Gemini Krewe alongside her dear friend Bob Norris. She loved going to the balls, the float decorating parties, and the parades. She has a treasure trove of special beads, which were always on a “look, but don’t touch” display.

Above all, her greatest pleasure was raising her Sheltie fur babies. Prince may have been her favorite, but there were many others. Her last two were Lucky and Mia. Erline was active in the Northwest Louisiana Shetland Sheepdog Club. That her Shelties were too spoiled to become show dogs is an understatement, but she did enjoy the camaraderie of the devoted Shelty owners, especially Judy Biggs.

Lene, as she was affectionately known to her family, was extremely independent and lived in her Shady Grove home in Bossier City until she agreed (as she promised) to move to Hot Springs, Arkansas near her youngest sister, Charlotte. True to her promise, she has spent the past nine months living in an assisted living facility in Hot Springs. She was surprised at how much she loved her apartment life and quickly made new friends. She was the “save the table captain” at lunch and dinner meals. We were so thankful that she was happy.

Along with her parents, Erline was preceded in death by her grandparents, Millard and Elizabeth Jennings, and Joseph and Martha Herring, who lived in the Line Ferry area just outside Texarkana, Arkansas, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was also preceded by her older sister, Louella Wells of Texarkana, Texas, and a special niece, Carmon D. Guitterez of Dallas, Texas.

Lene is survived by her brother, Vernon Ray “Sonny” Jennings, Jr. (Dorothy) and sisters, Sue Jennings Pratt (David), Anne Jennings McFall (Dan), and Charlotte Jennings Fitzhugh (Dale). She was the much-loved Aunt Erline to Tammy Wells, Mickey Wells, Robbie Wells, Abbie Jett, Brett Jennings, Cheri Harrison, and Jonathan Pratt. In addition, great nieces and nephews, Zach, Larson, Katy, and Cooper, Presley, Carter, and Macy kept her young. She was also fortunate to have cousins, step-nieces and nephews to share in her life.

At one time or another, she touched or helped us all. Lene’s home was our safe haven, a cool place for us to be, and she was our rock when we needed her. In a way, she was our guardian angel here on earth. She was loved more than she would ever know and will be missed more than we can say.

Per Erline’s wishes, services will be private.