R.B. Jennings, Jr. passed away April 18th at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL following an extended illness. R.B. was a masterful storyteller. Whether sharing details about an entertaining experience, explaining how to predict futures prices for winter wheat, or teaching a life lesson, R. B. drew people in with humble charisma and boyish charm. For those lucky enough to have witnessed or heard his retelling of experiences through the years, there is no doubt that his was a life well-lived. He was keenly aware of how lucky he was to have a big family, many loyal customers, and a multitude of friends. R. B. didn’t really distinguish among these categories and his wife and daughters learned long ago that their family was as big as R. B.’s contact list. His personal life, social life, and work life were beautifully intertwined.
Born in 1940 in Greensboro, NC, R. B. was the youngest child of Rezin Bass and Mary Woods Jennings. He grew up in Burlington admiring his brother, Maurice and sister, Janice. He made friends easily and was the sort of guy that kept his friends for life. Through his teenage years, R. B. fell in love with the game of golf and found that he had a natural talent for the sport, but especially felt an affinity for the camaraderie that a day on the fairways allowed. He loved Carolina Beach Music and treasured time with his friends shagging the night away in Myrtle Beach and Ocean Drive. After graduating from Walter M. Williams High School, R. B. attended UNC and Elon College before joining the Air Force, serving in air-traffic control at Luke Airforce Base in Arizona. Upon leaving military service, he worked in various facets of the milling and baking industry over a 45 year career. He was a Rotarian and became a Paul Harris Fellow. Most recently R. B. lived in Figure 8 Island, NC and Vero Beach, FL. He was a proud member of Red Stick Golf Club in Vero Beach, FL, John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, FL, Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, SC, and Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington, NC. R. B. actively attended Community Church in Vero Beach, Florida.
R.B. delighted in his large family, which includes his loving wife, Martha Faye Autry Jennings; five daughters; Jennifer and Jim Thomasson III of Newnan, GA and their children, JJ and his wife JoAnna Thomasson IV (and their son, James Thomasson V), and Cheney; Laura and Brett Schulman of Greensboro, NC and their children Ryan and Emily; Amy and Michael Patton, M.D. of Wilmington, NC and their children Elizabeth, Catherine, William, and Margaret; Meg and Bobby Norris of Greensboro, NC and her children Katie, Elie, and Bo; Dee and Jason Roghelia of Greensboro, NC, and their children, Jennings, Virginia, and Gray. In addition, surviving are his brother, Maurice Jennings and his children, Burney and Dina Jennings, Jr of Greensboro; Fran and Chris Teter of Charlotte, NC; and his sister’s children, Ana and Ron Thomas of NY,NY; Kenneth Thomas of Graham, NC; and Annette and Kenneth Weatherly of Greensboro, NC.
R. B. was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Janice J. Bailey; and sister-in-law Linda B. Jennings.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, April 24th at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life at Greensboro Country Club.
Donations may be sent to Cancer Research, Cardiovascular Research, or the Center of Regenerative Medicine: Mayo Clinic Florida, Department of Development, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224.
Online remembrances may be made through www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.8.18