Joseph D. "J.D." Jennings

Joseph D. Jennings, 90, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, July 8, 2017. Joseph was a lifelong resident of Buncombe County and was the son of the late Kenneth Claude Jennings and Georgia Jennings Stewart. He was a graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School and was an Army veteran of WW II. Joseph, fondly referred to as J.D., was the regional supervisor of Eli Witt, Inc., for 42 years. J.D., a man of great faith, was a very active member of Calvary Baptist Church for over 50 years. At Calvary Baptist, he served as Sunday school leader, Sunday school superintendent, deacon, chairman of the Board of Deacons, church treasurer, and Sunday school secretary/treasurer for 44 years. J.D. was also very instrumental in starting the daycare program at Calvary. He exemplified what he often told his family, “that we should help the next generation have a better life”. Along with his great faith in Christ, J.D. was a man of amazing integrity, wisdom, goodness, and service to others. His strength of character, love of life, and kindness matched the greatness and beauty of our majestic WNC mountains that he treasured. J.D. was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather. His family was the center of his life which he nurtured, was very generous, and greatly enjoyed spending time and sharing his talents. His wife and daughters often referring to him as their guardian angel. J.D. relished the great outdoors of Buncombe County, gardening, building, working and playing. J.D. is survived by his devoted loving wife of 69 years whom he fondly referred to as his sweetheart, Jean Keith Jennings. In addition, he is survived by daughters, Linda Jennings Cooke and husband, Keith, of Weaverville and Janet Jennings Magruder and husband, Greg, of Asheville; grandson Russ Cooke of Wilmington; granddaughter Sarah Magruder Barton and husband, Josh, along with their son Thaddeus, J.D.’s great-grandson; brothers, Porter Jennings and Clyde Stewart Jr.; sisters Patty Mease, Mary VanDohlen and Judy Ivey, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Rice. His family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue, followed by a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. at Green Hills Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Buddy Corbin will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be given to CarePartners Hospice Foundation, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.