Robert Joseph “Joe” Jennings

Published 4:41 pm Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Robert Joseph “Joe” Jennings, 78, Elizabethton, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Johnson City Medical Center after an extended illness.

A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Winston and Sarah Lyons Jennings.

Joe was a graduate of Elizabethton High School. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. He was a former employee of North American Rayon Corporation and retired from Murray Guard.

Joe was a member of Oak Street Baptist Church. He loved the outdoors activities and restoring old cars.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ford.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Janice Bowman Jennings; a son, Michael Wayne (Marcia) Jennings, Johnson City; two grandchildren, Jacob and Olivia Jennings; one sister, Peggy Geagley, Elizabethton; four nephews, Art Smithdeal, Ricky Smithdeal, Joe Smithdeal and Tommy Wetzel; his great-nephews, Joseph Smithdeal, Travis Smithdeal and Shaun Smithdeal; and his brothers-in-law, Mickey (Jeniece) Bowman, Johnson City, Mark (Saprina) Bowman, Memphis, and Jimmy Bowman of Florida.

The graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 5, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Dr. Chris Shumate and Rev. Bob Polk officiating. Interment will follow the service. Music will be provided by Debbie Gouge. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 12:20 p.m. Saturday, will be Mike Jennings, Jacob Jennings, Rick Smithdeal, Art Smithdeal, Shaun Smithdeal and Joseph Smithdeal. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Wetzel, Shaun Smithdeal, Joe Smithdeal, Doug McCloud, Brent Terry, Russell Hensley, his church family and many friends. Military Honors will be provided by the Carter County Honor Guard. Friends may register their presence at the funeral home from noon until 5 p.m. Friday. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 12:20 p.m. Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carter County is mandating that all citizens wear masks in public and also social distancing recommended.

Memorial Funeral Chapel, 212 N. Main Street, Elizabethton, is serving the Jennings family.