Marcia Diane Jennings (Marcia)
April 27, 1944 - June 11, 2025
Marcia Diane Jennings, 81, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on June 11, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born on April 27, 1944, to the late Merl and Margaret (Neil) Essley.
Marcia's spent her early years as an enthusiastic softball player and an active member of the FFA. Her academic journey led her to Missouri Southern State College (MSSC), where she excelled in her studies and found a sisterhood within her sorority. Professionally, Marcia worked as an optician. She served the community through her work with Royal Optical, Dr. Brothers, and eventually retiring from Pearl Vision.
Marcia was a woman of diverse interests and talents. She played the piano and was involved with the Rainbow for Girls organization. She loved trout fishing, camping, girls' day outings for coffee and shopping. But above all, it was the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that Marcia cherished most. Marcia was a faithful servant to the Lord.
Marcia is survived by her children, Pat Jennings (Joanie), Mike Jennings, and Kristi Jennings-Hoover (Don); grandchildren, Dakota Jennings (Jessica), Joshua Jennings, Brittany Hoover- Freeman (Garrett), and Donald Hoover III (Jillian); and 9 great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Neil Essley.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO. A burial will follow at Osborne Cemetery in Joplin, MO. Visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m. at Parker, prior to the service.
Arrangements are under the direct care of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
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SAT & SUN Order by noon
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Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
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Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
MON-FRI Order by 2:00PM
SAT & SUN Order by noon
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
Plant a tree: How does it work
When your purchase is complete, a post will be made on the tribute wall of the deceased signifying the planting of a memorial tree.
An official certificate recognizing your purchase will be included with your email receipt. You can then forward the email to the family or print it and give it to them personally.
After an order is placed, our forestry partners will plant the tree in the area of greatest need (nearest the funeral home), according to the planting schedule for the year.
Due to seasonal conditions, the tree planting takes place during the spring and summer.
Tree Planting Timeline
Orders placed in:
January - May
Planting will take place in Spring or Summer of the same year.
June - December
Planting will take place in Spring of the following year.
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