MJ Jennings

M J Jennings passed away on his birthday, October 18, 2015. He was born October 18, 1930 in Powder Springs, GA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Florence Jennings, and his beloved wives – his first love Mary Faye (Bivens) Jennings, and then Frances Allen Jennings in his golden years.

M J is survived by his three daughters Sheila (Don) Tidwell, Angel (Ken) Byrd, and Darlene (Art) Clay, and Sister, Marjorie Ingram. His grandchildren are, Travis (Tracy) Clay, Leslie (Mark) Winters, Natalie Clay, Stacey (Kelly) Kirksey, Brannon (Shelly) Kirksey, Tina (Brannon) Deal, Tonya (Don) Cole, Donnie (Karen) Tidwell, and Angie (Jeff) Tibbitts. He had very many great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

After losing his sweetheart Faye to a drunk driver accident in 1987, God graced M J some years later with a wonderful lady named Frances to be his second wife. They traveled the U. S. and enjoyed probably every national park in 48 states.
M J was blessed with more love as his family grew with his marriage to Frances. He is survived by his bonus family – daughters Joan Puckett, Melanie (Charlie) Rome, and son-in-law Mark Davis, along with grandchildren, T. L., Amanda, Charlee, Michael, Bethany, Tony, Leslie, Katie, Jonathan, Melanie, and more great-grandchildren.

M J was a member of Flint Hill Methodist Church in Hiram, and a Mason for over sixty years, with 48 degrees and orders. He earned the highest degree possible other than the one that must be bestowed by others. He was a linotype operator by trade. Mr. Jennings moved on to work as an armed guard at Wells Fargo after computers changed the printing world. He then completed his career at Ivan Allen, again in the printing industry.

M J had a kind heart, a green thumb, and a joy for watching minor league baseball, especially the Rome Braves. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and a man of great wisdom and strong character. He will be missed by all his family and friends, especially the morning crew of Sam’s Club where he walked daily.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 2 PM from Clark Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Ray Vaughn officiating and a eulogy by Tony Crowe, music rendered by Paula Roper & Nancy Russell, and Papa’s Prayer. Interment will follow in Paulding Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Clark Funeral Home on Monday, October 19, 2015 from 5-8pm and Tuesday, October 20, 2015 from noon till service time. Pall bearers are Stacey Kirksey, Brannon Kirksey, Travis Clay, Mark Winters, Zach Kirksey, Gavin Kirksey, Landon Tibbitts, Hutt Tibbitts.

Flowers accepted or donations may be made to the Paulding County Fire Department, attention Tanya, 535 Seaboard Avenue, Hiram, Ga., for the benefit Brystol Haynes, the 3 year old daughter of Paulding Firefighter Hunter Haynes. Brystol was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and M J was participating in fund-raising. He loved children, and believed in paying it forward.

Clark Funeral Home, in charge of arrangements.

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