Samuel Lamar Jennings

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Samuel L. Jennings, a servant of Christ went to his heavenly home on January 31, 2024.

Sam was born on January 10, 1935 in Quitman, Mississippi to Lamar Charles and Margaret

Ruth Jennings. He attended Central High School in Jackson, Miss. and graduated from Auburn

University in 1957 with a degree in electrical engineering. Sam was an Eagle Scout and a

member of the Order of the Arrow. He was awarded Wings of Gold as an aviator in the U.S.

Navy where he served for 20 years as a pilot both active and reserve duty. Sam married the

love of his life Linda Lee Dunn on June 20th 1971, and ran the Dale Carnegie franchise in

Jacksonville, FL. The couple later moved to Grand Junction, Tenn. where he transformed

Dunn’s sporting goods from a hardware store to an international mail-order hunting catalog

serving as its president until 1993 when they sold the company. Following that he and Linda

founded Midsouth Hygiene in Memphis where he worked until his retirement in 2005. The

couple retired in Oxford, Mississippi and are active members of Christ Presbyterian Church and

avid Ole Miss sports enthusiasts. Sam spent his retirement years serving his family, church and

community; volunteering for everything from his grandchildren’s class parties to

Meals-on-Wheels and bringing joy wherever he went. He was known for his kindness, his love

of life and people and his inquisitive nature.

Sam’s biggest legacy was his faith, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest and

loved his friends and family fiercely. At the top of his long list of treasures in this life was his

salvation, and he pursued God with his heart, mind, soul and strength. He pursued people the

same way, leaving a trail of love and forgiveness throughout his life. Nehimiah 8:10 beautifully

illustrated how Sam lived his life. “Go enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to

those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the

Lord is your strength.”

Jennings is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Charles Thomas Jennings and

grandson David Sean Price.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Linda Dunn Jennings; his daughters, Terri

Jennings Overmann and husband Tim Overmann of Jacksonville, Fla. and Holly Jennings of

Panama City, FL.; two sons, Brad Lamar Jennings and wife Kristin Jennings of Houson, Texas

and Craig Lee Jennings and wife Denise Jennings of Hernando, Miss.; nine grandchildren Lanie

Price Diaz, Kyle Morris, Kevin Boyaval, Grayson Jenning, Caroline Jennings, Kaitlin Jennings,

Julia Jennings, Wilson Jennings and Hudson Jennings; and four great-grandchildren, Amelia

Diaz, Saylor Diaz, Elena Morris Hayden Morris, and his sister Iris (Cookie) Jennings Plunkett of

Madison, Miss., along with many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Christ Presbyterian Church in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, February 3 at 11

a.m. followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. Pastor Curt Presley will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to

Christ Presbyterian Church, 901 Sisk Avenue, Oxford, Miss. 38655.