Russell Lee Jennings

Russell Lee Jennings, 96, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Born March 22, 1926 in Spartanburg, SC, he was the son of the late Diaz Allen Jennings and Leila Beatrice Stephens. Russell was a graduate of Boiling Springs High School and honorably served his country in the US Navy during WWII. He retired as a plant manager for Armour & Company and ConAgra, Inc., and was a part time cattle farmer. Russell was a true outdoorsman and loved quail hunting, bass fishing, and training bird dogs. Russell was a longtime member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and a number of other church positions. He especially enjoyed serving as the Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee and took great pride in maintaining the church facilities. He was one of ten children. Russell was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Anita Marlowe Jennings in 2019, and earlier by five brothers, Thad, Carl, Leonard, Lawrence, and Bobby Jennings; three sisters, Sue Bridges, Thelma Ashe, and Jewel Browder; and grandson in-law, Allan Anderson. Russell is survived by his sons, William Russell “Buddy” Jennings (Anne) and Larry Allen Jennings (Margaret); five grandchildren, Tracy Anderson Riley (Brad), Tripp Jennings (Dawn), Kylee Newkirk (Duncan), Matthew Jennings, and April Barnado Wheless (Lee); twelve great grandchildren, Alayna Garrison (Kirk), Mac Anderson, Aiden and TJ Jennings, Charlotte, Hunter, and Lillian Newkirk, Logan and Fallon Jennings, Cecily and Connor Wheless, and Skylar Riley. He is also survived by one brother, David A. Jennings (Loretta) of Charleston; and sisters in-law, Kay Jennings of Texas, Linda Marlowe, and Delores Marlowe; along with many nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, April 26th, 2:00PM in the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, 350 N. Blackstock Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301, officiated by Reverend Rufus Chaneyworth and Reverend Monty King. The family would like to thank Kim Draney of the Spartanburg Comfort Keepers and the nurses and staff of the Legacy Assisted Living Facility in North Myrtle Beach and the staff of ProMedica Hospice in Myrtle Beach for the love and care shown to Russell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ProMedica Hospice, 2050 Corporate Centre, Suite 220, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.