Cleo B. Jennings

Cleo Bowman Jennings, age 99, of Decatur, TN, died quietly at home at 8:45 on Saturday morning, August 21, 2010. "Granny," as she was fondly known throughout the community as well as among her family, was born in Green County, TN, on December 28, 1910. Her father and mother, John and Dora (Owens) Bowman, his sister Agnes, and her brothers Carl and Alonzo, along with her half sister Clara Whaley and half brother Ike Bowman all preceded her in death. Cleo moved to Meigs County in 1928 with her husband, Daniel Stevens Jennings, a Navy veteran of World War II. Two children also preceded heer in death; John Stevens" Buddy" Jennings died at the age of only one year, and Daniel Stevens Jennings, Jr. "Dan Junior", died at age 22 at Walter Reed Hospital while enlisted in the U. S. Army. Granny was a long-time, faithful member of Cottonport Baptist Church in Meigs County, where she made enduring friendships. She had a heart capable of sharing much love, and her greatest pleasure was in doing for others. Many quilts lovingly made and given as special gifts will carry the warmth of Granny's love through generations to come. The faces of dozens of family members in pictures decorating every surface of her room reflect the joy Granny felt in every cherished relative. Cleo is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Selvia and G. D. Smith of Decatur, with whom she made her home, and one son and daughter-in-law, James and Marie Jennings, of Gastonia, NC. Nine grandchildren remain to carry on Granny's legacy: Larry (and Shirley) Jennings, Danny (and Debbie) Smith, Darlene (and David) Collins, Mike (and Karen) Jennings, Edna (and Wayne) Sewell, Gail (and Bobby) Cass, Sandra (and Joey) Fritts, Goldman "Rusty" Smith, and Jeff (and Christie) Smith. Eighteen great grandchildren and thirteen great- great grandchildren survive Granny, each of whom filled special and important places in her life. She also had three very special friends: Leon and Dorothy Wright and Ruby Colbaugh. The lives of the descendants and friends of Cleo Jennings have been made better, richer, and fuller because they have been touched and changed by the influence of this humble Christian lady. Funeral service will be held at 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 23, 2010, in the Bowers Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Gardner and Rev. Max Redman officiating. Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in the Decatur Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 23, 2010 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be great grandsons: Brian Smith, Shaun Smith, Justin Jennings, Dustin Sewell, Clay Jennings, Matthew Jennings, B. L. Cass, Andrew and Jackson Fritts, John Sharpe; Grandsons will serve and honorary pallbearers.