Deacon John “Duke” Jennings Jr. passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2016. He was born August 8, 1932 to the late John Jennings Sr. and Corrine Jennings. At an early age he became a member of First Nottoway Baptist Church in Nottoway County and later joined New Bethel Baptist Church, Meherrin, where he was a Deacon.

He served his country for five years in the United State Army.

Deacon Jennings leaves to cherish his precious memory, his devoted wife, Shirley W. Jennings; his children, Margaret Jennings of Washington, DC, Mitchell Jennings (Susie) of Richmond, Wanda McKeller (Ira) of Newport News, and Jackie Archer and Delbert Jennings of Amelia; a brother, Danny Casper (Ethel) of Crewe; stepchildren, Denise Monroe (James) of Richmond, Pamela Ross (James), Jerry Watson (Irma) and Angela Foster (Jeffrey) all of Meherrin; two step-daughters-in-law, Rose Watson of Victoria and Diane Watson of Meherrin; 26 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service was held Thursday, January 21 at New Bethel Baptist Church, Meherrin, with the Reverend Haney Thomas Jr. officiating. Interment was in the Amelia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia.

Wilson Funeral Home, Keysville, served the family.