Marie Jennings

Floye Marie Jennings, 78, went into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on August 8, 2026, surrounded by her loving husband, Leon, and her beloved children, Darrell Jennings and Debbie Johnson.

Marie was born on December 1, 1947, in Parkdale, Arkansas, to Walter and Floye Robertson. She was one of 20 children and held the special honor of being the only one named after her mother. Although she carried her mother’s name, she preferred to be called Marie, the name by which her family and friends knew and loved her. The Robertson family was close-knit, and Marie often shared memories of growing up with so many brothers and sisters and the good times they had together.

Marie met Leon Jennings in Ash Fork, Arizona, in the early spring of 1963. The two quickly fell in love and were married on February 21, 1964, in Ash Fork. They welcomed their son, Darrell Leon, in 1965 and their daughter, Deborah Lynn, in 1969. Together, they built a life and family that took them to several places over the years, including Ash Fork, Arizona; Eudora and Lawrence, Kansas; Las Vegas, Nevada; and St. Louis, Missouri, before eventually returning to Lawrence in 1998.

She was a hard-working person, no matter the job. She worked at Van Camp’s, Packers Plastics, and Color Press in Lawrence for more than 10 years. She also spent several years working in the Maintenance Division at the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. In 1982, Marie and Leon opened Leon’s Bug Barn, which they operated until 1990. Marie later worked at the Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas and the Casino Queen in St. Louis. In 1998, Marie and Leon started their own commercial janitorial business, Clean Gene. The name was thought up by her son-in-law, Dan, because Marie had a “cleaning gene” in her body. Anyone who knew Marie would agree that it was the perfect name. She loved to clean and took great pride in keeping things nice and tidy. Clean Gene remained part of their lives until 2021.

Marie loved spending time with her family and friends and was happiest when she was around people. She truly never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. She knew the workers at Walmart by name, and they knew her just as well. She looked forward to her summer visits from her best friend and sister, Jan Meoli and late husband Freddy. The two enjoyed going shopping and the occasional casino run, but most of all, spending quality time together.

She had a personality that was impossible to forget. She knew how to have a good time and could bring fun and laughter wherever she went. She had a loving heart for the people she cared about and was kind, courageous, and strong, with a stubborn streak that was just as much a part of who she was. Marie was also a jokester and had absolutely no filter. She would tell you exactly what she thought, whether you asked or not. And as hard as she might have tried, Marie could never keep a secret. If she knew something, there was a good chance everyone else would soon know it too.

Marie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family deeply and cherished every moment she could spend with them. Some of her favorite memories were the Friday night sleepovers with her grandchildren, no matter how much noise, laughter, or craziness came along with them. Those were the moments she treasured most. She also loved flying to California to visit her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, and she was fortunate enough to be there for many of their births. She was so proud of each and every one of her grandchildren and took great joy in watching them grow. Being a grandmother and great-grandmother was one of the greatest joys of her life, and she treasured the special bond she shared with each of them.

In August 2020, Marie was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She reached remission in February 2021, but the cancer returned in 2025. Throughout her battle, Marie showed the same strength and determination that had defined her throughout her life. She fought a courageous battle and continued to be the strong, stubborn, and joyful woman her family knew and loved.

Throughout Marie’s life, and especially in the months before her passing, she expressed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her unwavering faith carried her through every season of her life and gave her strength until the very end. The peace that Marie and her loved ones felt after her passing was a peace that only Jesus Christ could bring. While her family will miss her deeply, they find comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering and is now home with Jesus.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Leon Jennings; her son, Darrell (Lesa) Jennings, of Clovis, California; her grandchildren, Chase (Carly) Jennings, Mason (Jamie) Jennings, Justin Jennings, Cayden Jennings, and Ashlee Jennings. Her daughter, Debbie (Dan) Johnson, of Lawrence, Kansas; her grandchildren, Jadan (Kayleen) Johnson, Grayson (Kristin) Johnson, Karlyn (Tristen) Patterson; and her great-grandchildren, Kinsley and Olivia Johnson, and Claire Johnson. She is also survived by her brothers, James, Larry, Thomas, Michael; and her sisters, Carolyn, Jan, Peggy, and Marsha.

Marie’s family carries on her name and memory in special ways. Her granddaughter Karlyn and great-granddaughters Olivia and Claire share the middle name Marie, a small but meaningful connection that will carry her name through generations to come.

Marie will be remembered for her strength, her humor, her stubborn streak, her love of people, her love of shopping, and most of all, the love she had for her family. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories, stories, laughter, and a family who will miss her more than words can say.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 25th from 3-5 p.m. at Rumsey-Host Funeral Home. Private service for family will be held following.

Memorial contributions may be made to Elara Caring Home Hospice Care- Elara Donation