Mr. James Edward Jennings

Funeral services for Mr. James Edward Jennings, age 78 of Downsville, LA, was held at 2:00 PM, Monday, November 13, 2023 at Cedar Crest Baptist Church in West Monroe, LA with Dr. Greg Clark and Dr. Ryan E. Jennings officiating. Burial followed at Holmesville Cemetery in Downsville, LA under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home. James was raised in Downsville, LA and graduated from Calhoun High School in 1963. His father, a purple heart and silver star recipient from WWII, was tragically killed when James was only 2-years old. His mom, Grace, widowed at the tender age of 27, then raised him and his three siblings on her own. He met the love of his life, Frances Ruth Johnston Jennings, at the Dairy-Etta on a Sunday afternoon, February 21, 1965. Frances was fifteen, but almost sixteen at the time. James asked her to hold his drink so he could eat his popcorn, and as the night progressed, he asked if he could take her to his church that evening. Thus, their first date was at Aulds Chapel Church. In October of 1965 he received a letter from Uncle Sam requesting his presence in a foreign war. He attended boot camp at Fort Polk, and then to Fort Ord, CA, and then was sent to Vietnam where he served as a medics aide. James never met a stranger. He loved to talk to everyone….literally everyone. Often when dining at a restaurant or entering a business he would take the time to speak with everyone who worked there. His love for people, friendly banter, and his heart for sharing the gospel made an impact wherever he went in the world. Mr. James is preceded in death by his parents, Roy I.W. and Grace A. Williams Jennings; and his sister, Evelyn Lenard. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances Johnston Jennings; children, Rynda Jennings Lofton (David), Ryan Edward Jennings (Annette), and Robyn Janelle Jennings; his grandchildren, Ryan Lofton (Hannah), Sarah Lofton, Reid Lofton, Nathan Jennings, Emma Jennings Peters (Brennan), Daniel Jennings, Delaney Drumright, and Aubrey Drumright; two brothers, Roy Eugene Jennings and Marion Al Jennings (Anita); and a host of friends and relatives. Serving as pallbearers were Nathan Jennings, Daniel Jennings, Ryan Lofton, Reid Lofton, Brennan Peters, and Andy Lenard. Visitation was held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Monday, November 13, 2023 at Cedar Crest Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cedar Crest Baptist Church.