James Noble Jennings

Mr. James Noble Jennings, 92, of Cleveland, passes away Monday, December 14, 2015, at the VA Hospital in Oxford. Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Ray Funeral Home. Celebration of Life services will immediately follow beginning at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Ray Funeral Home with Rev. James Breland and Rev. Steve Huber officiating. Interment will follow in North Cleveland Cemetery. Mr. Jennings was born in Isola, MS on July 12, 1923 to Willie Palmer Jennings and Anna Irene Gordon Jennings. Mr. Jennings didn't have an easy childhood. At the age of seven, he was orphaned and taken in by his eldest sister who raised him. These hardships in life taught him to value family, and through this he became a dedicated father to his own children. In his high school years, he enjoyed playing basketball and looked at his coach, E.H. Mooney, as a mentor. In January 1944, his senior year, he got the call to go to the Army, so he reported to duty in February at Camp Shelby. He then proudly served our country in the United States Army in Naples, Italy during WWII, and remained in the reserves for thirteen years. He was a true Mississippi State Bulldog beginning his education there in 1946. In 1948, He graduated from ROTC school. In January 25, 1949, he married Inez Cliett in West Point, MS; and in 1950, he received his B. S. Degree in Agricultural Education. He began his teaching career at Mashulaville and got a job teaching the Veterans about farming for sixteen months. He then returned to Mississippi and started on his Master's Degree which he completed 1955 majoring in Agricultural Education and Minor Public School Administration. Mr. Jennings began teaching science in Ruleville and coaching girl's basketball and pee-wee football and baseball. Next he moved to Cleveland to teach Science and Agriculture for twelve years, and then dedicated his time in Drew as High School Principal and teaching Agricultural Studies.
He completed his teaching career after spending six more years in Ruleville until his retirement. During this time, he received an A.A.A. degree as an Educational Specialist in 1974 while majoring in Public School Administration with a teaching certificate in Science, Agriculture, and Occupational Orientation.
On the side, Mr. Jennings greatly enjoyed farming and operating La Parie Shoppe and Gentleman's Alley with his wife Inez from 1970 to 1990. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. His favorite thing to farm was cotton and it brought him much joy. His most important thing that he leaves behind is the love of his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie Palmer Jennings and Anna Irene Gordon Jennings; wife, Inez Cliett Jennings; and his siblings.
Mr. Jennings is survived by his sons, James Michael Jennings (Sherry) of Bartlett, TN and Reginald Lynn Jennings (Joyce) of Bartlett, TN; daughter, Jeannie Jennings Mills (Rodney) of Benoit, MS; grandchildren, Stephanie Myers (Cliff Webb), Kelly Jennings, Nicholas Jennings, Callie Mills Morgan (Brandon) and Meriella Mills Hynum (Robert); eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. In Memory of Mr. Jennings, the family requests that donations be made to The Palmer Home for Children.

Visitation

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, December 19, 2015
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Celebration of Life

2:00 pm Saturday, December 19, 2015
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment

North Cleveland Cemetery. N Bayou Cleveland, Mississippi, United States