Cortencie Jennings is a native of Evergreen, Alabama. She was born of four children to the late Willie and Mary Fountain. In the year of 1957 Cortencie met and married Elder Paul M. Jennings. Together they had two children. Cortencie was baptized in Jesus name in Birmingham, Alabama and filled with the Holy Ghost in the year of 1962. Cortencie and her late husband Elder Paul M. Jennings pastored Crestwell AOH Church in Harperville, Alabama for 7 years.
God called Cortencie to be an evangelist at the age of 26. She ran revivals in Georgia, Philadelphia, Pensacola, Birmingham, Syracuse and Buffalo in New York, and various other places as the Spirit of the Lord led.
Cortencie relocated from Alabama to Florida. She continued her work in the ministry in Port St. Joe, Florida, where she had a radio ministry and pastored the Victorious Tabernacle Church. She baptized man souls in Port St. Joe and in Panama City, Florida.
She became a member of the Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc. under multiple leaderships, namely: Bishop James Mims, Bishop Ron Anderson, Bishop Gregory Johnson, Bishop Daniel Boles, Chief Apostle, Bishop Dr. Preston Rolle, Sr., and now currently under the leadership of Bishop Elect Preston Rolle, Jr.
Cortencie, better known as Mother Jennings, was a teacher of good things, she taught young women to love their husbands, their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home and to be obedient to their husbands. At the age of 83 years, she was preaching, teaching, and singing to the glory of the Lord.
Throughout her life, Mother Jennings was without education and did not know how to read but God taught her how to read the Bible. Her favorite scripture was: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things though Christ which strengthen me”.
When Cortencie was not engaged in the ministry, she was spending time with family, cooking, keeping house, and gardening flowers. She was a great cosmetologist she did everyone’s hair in the community. She was a great foster mother, leader grandmother, and friend.
Cortencie is survived by her sister Willie Fountain; son Hiawatha Fryar, Jr.; sister Willie Mae Fountain; grandchildren: Willie G. Traylor, Jr., Eukethia N. Mayle, Hiawatha C. Fryar, Paul D. Fryar, Tykeria M. Fryar, and TyShauna J. Fryar.