Crystal Sears Jennings, 71, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Portsmouth, Virginia, surrounded by her loving family and friends. As a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, she attended Portsmouth Public Schools and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1971.

Crystal met the love of her life, Linwood Jennings, during childhood. Her brothers played football and baseball with Linwood, so he would always be over her house. He has always said that he loved her since he was 12. They began dating at 15 and 17 and married at 19 and 21 on April 8, 1972. Their union brought forth two children, Brian and Ashley. Crystal’s family was her everything.

Crystal held many jobs over her lifetime. She began working at Tastee-Freez on Airline Boulevard when she was 16, roller skates and all. From there, she worked at Griffin Pappas & Scarborough, Peter Pan Kindergarten & Daycare, Plaza Skating Rink, Food Lion, and in the cafeteria of several Portsmouth Public Schools. Also, she volunteered at Poffenbarger’s Bakery during their busy seasons working the front counter and talking with customers – she never met a stranger. In her spare time, she would play on various church league softball teams, volunteered for her children’s sports teams as team mom and worked the concession stands, talking on the phone, cooking, baking, finding a good bargain, riding around downtown with her husband, listening to Lionel Richie, watching Charlie Brown holiday specials, and working with children.

Crystal was predeceased by her loving parents, Jack and Geraldine “Jerry” Lilienthal. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Linwood of 52 years; two children, Brian Jennings and Ashley Walker (Rico); grandchildren, Tyler and Zachary Jennings, Kaiya Smith, and their mother, Celia Jennings; brothers, Joe Sears (Sharon), J.R. Lilienthal (Peggy), and Steven Lilienthal (Ginny); her fur baby Lily; her best friend from childhood, Sherrie Raby, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and loving friends.

Services will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, Virginia. Service will be officiated by Chaplain Gene Stanley of the Portsmouth Fire Fighters. Attendees are asked to arrive by 12:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a children’s charity of your choice in Crystal’s honor.