Jennings receives Community Cornerstone Award

Delphia Jennings is CornerBank’s Community Cornerstone Award recipient in Arkansas City for September. In recognition of her service, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the non-profit organization of her choice. She has selected Arkansas City Habitat for Humanity to receive the contribution. A reception honoring Jennings’ service will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27, in the CornerBank community room, 125 N. Summit. The public is invited to attend the reception.

Jennings has served as a National Night Block Party coordinator and organizer for 10 years, a neighborhood watch program captain for 10 years and as a volunteer for the Northwest Beautification Program for 5 years.

She has served on the Cowley College Social Science Advisory Council since 2010 and has been a Cowley College Booster. From 1990 to 2005, she was a Cowley Student/Athlete Foster parent and counts among her children foster sons Dibi Ray (Texas), Danai Young (California) and Melvin Randle (Wichita); and foster daughters Ebony Haliburton (Missouri), Autumn Nichols (California), Camille Gordon (Arkansas) and Veronica Anderson (Oklahoma).

Jennings is co-pastor and member of Great Grace Family Worship Center. She was a music minister at First Church of God in Christ in Coffeyville for more than 20 years and at the Church of God in Christ in Arkansas City for 15 years. She served as Women’s Christian Council vice president for 10 years.

Jennings was born in Coffeyville. She has been married to Pastor Charles Jennings for 32 years. They have four children. Their sons are Cory (and Cynthia), Mulvane; Charles II (and Jasmine); and Daniel (and Krystle). Their daughter is Kryshaundela. Jennings is a proud Nana of ten grandchildren: Amya, Quiara, Ayanna, Amoni, Jacyndah, Kamari, Mariah, Khalyiah, JaVionte’ and Charles Duane III.

She graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in Coffeyville and Coffeyville Community Junior College. After early studies at Kansas State University, Jennings decided to get married and have a family. She returned to school after her children were in school and earned a bachelor of arts in elementary education, Cum Laude, from Newman University and later earned a master of arts in instruction and curriculum from University of Phoenix, Cum Laude. This year, she completed an Early Childhood Endorsement through Southwestern College.

Jennings is employed by USD 470. She has taught at Cowley County Head Start the past nine years and is the Full Day Lead Teacher. In addition to numerous certified positions at the district, she has served as a vocal music aide and cheerleading coach. She taught speech, music appreciation and art at Cowley College and was a gospel music instructor at Southwestern College. She has given private piano and voice lessons for 20 years.

Jennings was named the Kansas Teacher of the Year for the Kansas Head Start Association for 2011-12. Previous honors include the National Association of Professional Women (2008); Cambridge Who’s Who (2005); Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (2003) and the Miss Bronze of 1974 at the Coffeyville Pageant.

Jennings was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Bob Foster, Arleta Rice, Judy Reedy, Curt Freeland and Brenda Combs. All are previous recipients of the Cornerstone Award. Volunteers are the cornerstones of healthy communities. They’re on your corner – the people next door. They’re in your corner – helping make our community stronger. The Community Cornerstone Award recognizes the time and effort of volunteers dedicated to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. If you know of a Cowley County resident who has shown servant leadership in community service, contact Joyce McArtor at 442-6500 or joycem@cornerbanks.com for nomination guidelines.