Larry E. Jennings Sr.

LARRY ELIAS JENNINGS, SR. was born on April 13, 1939, in Charleston, Missouri to the late John Jennings and Hester (Harris) Jennings. He departed this life on June 7, 2025. Larry was an academic standout and talented two-sport athlete in basketball and baseball. He began his education at Lincoln Elementary in Charleston, Missouri, later attending Hodgen Elementary/Middle School in Wardell through eighth grade. He graduated from Hayti Central High School in 1957 and enlisted in the United States Navy. In 1960, while serving, he married the love of his life, the late Vergie C. Jennings. Their marriage spanned sixty-three devoted years. Larry was the embodiment of a strong work ethic, demonstrating unwavering dedication, resilience, and ambition throughout his life. While working full-time at Domino Sugar, he launched a small repair business that grew into a successful contracting company. Larry also pursued his academic goals, earning degrees from Baltimore City Community College and Morgan State University, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. His professional journey included several roles with the State of Maryland, retiring in rail car maintenance management. In retirement, Larry continued to lead and operate his contracting business with the same drive right up until his passing. Larry had an enduring passion for music, with a special love for down-home blues. He cherished time spent with family and friends, sharing songs, stories, and spirited conversations about the artists behind the melodies. A devoted sports enthusiast, he relished watching football and basketball games with his closest companions. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting on his porch with a cold beer in hand, letting the music wash over him. He also found peace on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, in Oxford, where he loved to sit on the deck, watch the sunset, and reminisce about family and the good old days. Larry found his greatest joy in being “Pop.” From the moment he met each grandchild, he gave them a nickname – equal parts outlandish and enduring. He loved nothing more than picking them up from school and setting off on spontaneous adventures, often without alerting their parents. Georgia and Kathy were all too familiar with arriving at the school only to learn Pop had already whisked the kids away hours earlier. Summers meant piling into his sleeper van for road trips to Missouri or wherever the Jennings family reunion took place. As the grandchildren grew older, Pop remained a teady presence – always ready to help, listen, or simply be there. In his later years, he devoted himself to spending time with the youngest family members – Karter, Vada, Ezra, and Vivian. He proudly celebrated every milestone his children and grandchildren achieved. More than a grandfather, Pop was a trusted friend, a source of wisdom, and the heart of the family. The family gives thanks to God for all he accomplished as their beloved patriarch. Larry leaves to cherish his memory: three children, Georgia Jennings, Larry E.Jennings Jr., and Lance\Jennings; his devoted daughter-in-law, Katherine Jennings;\ grandchildren, Jasmine Jennings, Jewel McKinley (Michael McKinley), Jessica Kuiper (Allen Kuiper), Jason Jennings-Wright, June Jennings, Tyshay Jennings, Delontae Jennings, Jade Jennings, Santino Jennings, Keara Bolden and Karter Jennings; greatgrandchildren, Erik Queen, Jr., Vada McKinley, Ezra Walton and Vivian Kuiper; siblings, Lavora Jennings, Johnnie Newton, Juanita Jennings, Lyman Jennings (Clarice Jennings), John Jennings (Debra Jennings), Betty Tipler (Roy Tipler), Percy Jennings, Sr. (Verna Jennings), Lorraine Jennings, Vernon Jennings (Donna Jennings), Bobby Jennings (Janice Jennings) and Lavernne Jennings. He was preceded in death by siblings Eddie Jennings, Sr. and Shirley Jennings. He also leaves close friends, Wayne Frazier and Pete Gillispie, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

Tributes

Larry E. Jennings Sr.

April 13, 1939 - June 7, 2025