Jennings, William (1874-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Feb 17 p. 7

Birth date: 1874 Oct 27

text of obituary:

Retired Bishop of Tennessee Churches Dies at Age 97

Harrisonburg, Va. — William Jennings, well-known retired bishop and evangelist of the Mennonite church, died at the Virginia Mennonite Home here on Feb. 8 at the age of 97. He had been in failing health for the past year.

A native of Clinton, Tenn., Bishop Jennings served as a bishop of churches in the eastern Tennessee area for many years and also conducted evangelistic meetings in Virginia, West Virginia and other states. He and his wife, the former Anna Good, moved to the Virginia Home from Knoxville in 1962. She died in 1965.

Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Stella Berkey of Smithville, Ohio, Mrs. Ada Wade of Sterling, Ill., Mrs. Lina Swope of Kouts, Ind., Mrs. Clara Raber of Fort Wayne, ind., and Mrs. Anna Brunk of Lombard, Ill.; five sons, Irvin of Fresno, Calif., Joseph of Long Beach, Calif., Wm. E. of Columbus, O., Ethan of San Bernadino [sic Bernardino], Calif., and John of Goshen, Ind.

Funeral services were conducted Feb. 10 at Weavers Mennonite Church here, with Alvin C. Kanagy and Bishop Mahlon L. Blosser in charge.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Mar 9 p. 11

text of obituary:

BISHOP WILLIAM JENNINGS

Bishop William Jennings, well known Mennonite minister and evangelist, died at age 97 on Feb. 8, 1972 at the Virginia Mennonite Home, Harrisonburg, Va. where he had resided the last 10 years of his life.

He was born on Oct. 27, 1874 at Clinton, Tenn. the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Jennings. On Oct. 6, 1894, he was married to Anna Good, who died on Dec. 21, 1965. Bishop Jennings served Mennonite churches in eastern Tennessee for more than 50 years, and was involved in evangelistic work in many states for more than 25 years.

He is survived by 10 children, 36 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. The oldest son, Henry, died in December 1971. Surviving daughters are: Mrs. Stella Birkey, Smithville, Ohio; Mrs. Ada Wade, Sterling, Ill.; Mrs. Selina Swope, Kouts, Ind.; Mrs. Clara Raber, Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Mrs. Ann Brunk, Lombard, Ill. The surviving sons are: Ervin, Fresno, Calif.; William E., Columbus, Ohio; Ethan, San Bernardino, Calif.; Joseph, Long Beach, Calif.; and John, Goshen, Ind.

Funeral services were conducted at Weavers Church, Harrisonburg, on Feb. 10 by Rev. Alvin C. Kanagy and Bishop Mahlon L. Blosser. Burial was in the church cemetery.