John William Jennings

JOHN WILLIAM “J.W.” JENNINGS

It is with gratitude and love that we celebrate the life of John William “J.W.” Jennings, who passed peaceably from this life on July 11, 2025. He was much beloved by his family and will long be remembered for having a twinkle in his eye and a fun-loving spirit. He was a gentlemen to the core who possessed great strength of character.

J.W. was born on July 1, 1929, in Booneville, Mississippi, to John Elbert and Ora Olive Jennings. He became the “man of the house” at the tender age of three years old when his father was sent to a tuberculosis sanatorium in Kentucky during the Great Depression. Because his father returned years later in poor health, J.W. spent his childhood and adolescent years helping his mother and sisters maintain the family farm and working the crops. During high school and college years he also worked alongside his mother at a men’s clothing store. Such are examples of his work ethic which remained a constant throughout his life.

J.W. graduated from Booneville High School and attended Northeast Junior College. He graduated in 1951 from Mississippi State University on scholarship earning a Bachelor’s degree in Animal and Dairy Science. He was a faithful, lifelong supporter of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Following college, he was stationed two years with the Army National Guard in South Carolina, Texas and Indiana.

In 1953, J.W. wed his sweetheart Bobbie Nell Carter from nearby Wheeler, Mississippi. Bobbie and J.W. were blessed to share over 64 wonderful years of marriage. After living in Georgia, they moved to Brandon, Mississippi, in 1962. He and Bobbie moved back to Booneville in 1997 to spend their retirement years. In 2019, J.W. returned to Brandon to be closer to family.

During the entirety of his career, J.W. was known as an outstanding dairyman and was featured in national publications. In 1962 he was recruited to start and manage Garth Dairy Farms, which grew to a herd of 700+ registered female jerseys on farms covering over 2,000 acres. Garth Dairy Farms won numerous production awards and set a national sales record. J.W. spent the latter half of his career in consulting and management with Dairymen, Incorporated and Select Sires, Incorporated.

As a husband and father, J.W. was a faithful provider and a source of love, devotion and generosity throughout his life. In particular, he was a beautiful example of faithfulness during his wife’s lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. “Papaw” will always hold a special place in the hearts of his grandchildren because of the many fun summers and holidays they enjoyed with him. Whether it was fishing, grilling hamburgers, procuring “summer” pets or playing checkers …. Papaw always showed them a good time. When in assisted living, he took his great-grandchildren riding on his scooter and saved up candy treats for them.

J.W. was a devout believer in God and Jesus Christ and faithfully prayed for his family and friends. He was a member of Gaston Baptist Church (Booneville) as a teen and served as deacon at First Baptist Church Chatsworth, First Baptist Church Brandon (n/k/a Brandon Baptist Church) and First Baptist Church Booneville. He especially enjoyed being a member of his men’s Sunday School classes at each of those places of worship and of Joymakers Senior Adult Fellowship at FBC Booneville.

J.W. was predeceased by his parents, his wife and his sister Willie Ruth Wheeler. He was also predeceased by special companion Betty Magee Roberts. He is survived by daughters Joy Jennings Lurate (Yerger) of Madison, MS, and Kathy Jennings Brent (Joey) of Colmesneil, TX; grandchildren Lindsey Brent McLemore (Brent) of Nacogdoches, TX, Preston Andrew Brent of Huntsville, AL, and William Yerger Lurate of Ridgeland, MS; great-grandchildren Felicity Claire McLemore and Tessa Katherine McLemore; and sister Dorothy Jean Pilgrim.

The family is grateful for the outstanding care he received from Drs. Donald G. Metima, James L. Warnock, Mark A. Runnels, Todd H. Perkins and their respective medical teams; the nurses and therapists at Mississippi HomeCare of Flowood; the staff and nurses at Chateau Pines Assisted Living in Brandon; Gentiva Hospice in Flowood; and friend Tony Edwards.

A celebration of J.W.’s life will be held July 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, with visitation to begin at 10:00 a.m. His final resting place will be in Booneville following a graveside service to be held July 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Oaklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be made to the Baptist International Mission Board (www.imb.org) or the charity of your choice. 

To view the services by livestream please go to https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=d2b1013a-0956-463f-aa29-e20a32d1e069.