Christine Jennings was born August 9, 1929, in Wardell, Missouri, the second of five children born to Benjamin and Sadie Townsend. At a very young age, she and her family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee.

Christine attended grade schools in Memphis, Tennessee, and Dumas, Arkansas.

In 1942 she moved to Fresno, CA, and met Alonzo Jennings Sr. In 1944, they were married, and from that union, six children were born. Patricia, Alonzo Jr., Dolly, Michael, Glenn, and Brenda Starr.

Christine was very involved in the Fresno community there she taught etiquette classes to young girls showing them how to be a true lady, in these classes young ladies, would learn how to dress with style and grace, how to command a room and a few life basics such as cooking and taking care of the home, she also marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in the '60s.

Christine participated heavily in the Fresno Unified School Districts PTA program and is on record as one of the parents who founded the Teilman Elementary Schools PTA, of which she was the vice president. Christine was also a well-known model in which she modeled for magazines and local fashion shows, and because of her success, she also mentored several young protegees.

Later in life, Christine dedicated her life to Christ and attended Fresno Temple Church of God in Christ.

In 1985 Christine left Fresno and moved to Sacramento, CA, so that she could be closer to her children and grandchildren. She worked for several years at Duncan Ceramics, using her creativity and appreciation for beautiful things in producing beautiful ceramics.

Christine is known for her bright and charming personality; she is a designer to the fullest, loves to dance, and is the epitome of style and grace in everything she does.  She unapologetically lived her life and encouraged all of us to do the same, and in the words of other eldest son Alonzo Jennings Jr, she was loved by many, and loved us all right back!

Christine entered peacefully into rest at age 90 on Friday morning, January 24, 2020, after her courageous struggle with cancer.

Christine was preceded in death by her former husband, Alonzo Jennings Sr., her daughter Dolly Harding, her parents Benjamin and Sadie Townsend, her brothers William (Bill) Townsend, Benjamin (Benny) Townsend, and Isaiah Townsend and her sister Margaret Ellard.

Christine leaves to celebrate her memory her children – Alonzo Jennings Jr., Michael Dewitt Jennings, Glenn Wade Jennings, and Brenda Starr Riley, of Sacramento CA; 27 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.