Donnie Ray “Don” Jennings
Funeral services for Donnie Ray Jennings, 73, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 23, 2014, at the First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home
Mr. Jennings died at 1:51 p.m., Thursday, June 19, 2014, at his home.
He was born April 9, 1941 at North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, to Vernon Elvis Jennings and Eula Marie Walker Jennings. On April 24, 1959, he was married at Atlanta, Georgia, to Charlotte Robinson. Mr. Jennings was a veteran having served in the United States Army. He worked as a business owner and a nursing home administrator; he began his career in 1970 building his first facility in Chanute, Kansas, later built the Bethesda Nursing Center in Chanute, later owned and operated several residential care facilities in Missouri; lastly the South View Residential Care Facility in West Plains. He loved his family. Mr. Jennings had a love for flying and was a flight instructor. He also enjoyed shooting. Mr. Jennings was a member of the First Baptist Church, West Plains.
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Jennings, of the family home; four children, Kenneth Jennings and wife, Cindy, West Plains, Missouri, Keith Jennings and wife, Treasa, St. Clair, Missouri, Kandace Miller, West Plains, Missouri and Sheila Tiller and husband, Jeff, Loganville, Georgia; eleven grandchildren, William Jennings, Tara Miller, Kristin Mustion and husband, Casey, Sarah Wright and husband, Jeff, Thomas Fleming, Emily Jennings, Garrett Jennings and wife, Clarissa, Jeffrey Cowsert and wife, Allie, Jay Tiller, Thomas Jennings and Kyle Tiller; two great-grandchildren, Brodhi and Malcolm; five brothers, Elvis, Charles, Fred, Thurman and Sam Jennings; three sisters, Margie Hackney, Mary Carswell and Dorothy Tucker; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, two sisters, Sarah Huie and Bonnie Slack and one infant brother, Duane Jennings, precede him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 27, 2014 at Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Loganville, Georgia. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 28, 2014, at Gum Creek Baptist Church, Loganville, Georgia, under the direction of Tim Stewart Funeral Home followed by burial in the Gum Creek Cemetery in Loganville, Georgia. Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Wayne and Gail Sowell
June 20, 2014 @ 6:08 pm
Charlotte and Family….we were saddened to hear about Don. We treasure your friendship while being your neighbors on Nichols Drive. Don was a wonderful person and Wayne thoroughly enjoyed visiting with him. We are thinking of all your family during this difficult time and may God bless each of you.
Dorothy Tucker
June 21, 2014 @ 12:59 pm
Rest in Peace my wonderful brother, Donnie. You were a great brother and you were always there when I needed you with comfort and support. Thanks for all the beautiful memories and I will always love and miss you. You are the wind beneath my wings!
Your Sister for Ever,
Dorothy Tucker
Veda Styron
June 21, 2014 @ 7:36 pm
I am sorry I could not be here for the funeral. I loved Uncle Donnie so much. Thoughts, love and prayers to all of you during this sad time. I love you all. Love, Veda
ED Sergent
June 21, 2014 @ 8:12 pm
A steady friend, an intelligent conversationalis, a trustworthey partner, a man to be proud to say you knew, compassionate to the helpless , and to be truly a loss to me and mankind. Pray for the family. Kindness regards and sympathy. Ed SErgent.
Rick and Carol Sharp
June 21, 2014 @ 9:23 pm
Charlotte and family, we were saddened to hear of Don’s passing. We are in Wyoming this week and will not be able to attend the funeral. We will never forget the kindness and nurturing you gave us when we first moved to Chanute. We were very young with two little babies and were far away from our hometown. Your friendship and encouragement will not be forgotten. Will keep you in our prayers during this difficult time. Rick and Carol
Cindy and Daniel Franks
June 23, 2014 @ 9:56 am
Charlotte and family, words cannot express our sorrow at your loss. May God’s arms hold you in comfort at this time. We continue our prayers for you during this difficult time. We will miss him and will always remember our conversations and his wit.
Linda York
June 23, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
My Dearest Charlotte and Family, Ours days are with much sorrow since our Don’s homegoing but I understand more than ever the peace that only God can give in such times. I am thankful that I was able to be there til the “end of the beginning”, and witness that chapter of an amazing love story. Don’s love was unconditional to all and his last days were a witness to that fact. Your are loved. Linda
Margaret Hackney and family
June 23, 2014 @ 4:01 pm
Margie so wishes she could be there. We are praying for all of you! We know Donnie has joined that great cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on! What a reunion they must have had in heaven! Mom remembers when he was born, and said he was such a sweet child! I (Sandy) remember his warm brown eyes and his quiet ways. He had a smile that could melt your heart! We thought he was handsome and Charlotte was pretty! We have good memories and know that we will join him in eternity and all pick up where we left off!