Kay Jennings

Mrs. Karen (Kay) Jennings (nee: Karen Sue Atkins) passed away peacefully at Melech Hospice House in Temple Terrace, Florida on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the age of 78. She was a resident of Brandon, Florida, where she had resided for most of her 46+ years of marriage.

She is survived by her husband, James E. Jennings, Jr. (Jim), her children, Jason E. Jennings (Kerry) of Frisco, TX, Rebecca (Becky) Murphy (Chad) of Lincoln, AL, and James E. Jennings, III (Jim III) of Lenoir, NC, her grandchildren Taylor Murphy of Birmingham, AL, Ashley Murphy of Auburn, AL, and James and Jacob Jennings of Frisco, TX, her brother, Bobby Atkins (Carol), of Columbus, Ga., her sister, Debra (Debi) Sutton, of Layton, UT, her beloved Aunt Gerri Bennett of Burlington, IA, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Helen Atkins, and her sister, Barbara.

Kay was born on May 7, 1947, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Early in her childhood she moved with her family to Burlington, IA, then to Lehigh Acres, FL, before eventually settling in the Tampa area. She graduated from Alva High School in Alva, FL., in 1965. She met Jim in 1978, and they married in 1979.

Kay’s professional career included work as a secretary for the president of Lehigh Acres Development Corp., as an apartment rental agent, as a clerical worker for a land developer, worked several receptionist jobs through various temp agencies, and was a member of the staff of the Clerk of Circuit Court in Hillsborough County, where she met Jim.

Kay sang for a short time with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, played the piano for pleasure, and loved to watch old movies on TV. AMC was her favorite TV channel. However, her most satisfying job was raising her children, whom she adored. She loved to go to amusement parks, play with her puppy Pom, and laugh with family and friends. Her favorite foods were french fries and fried chicken, not necessarily in that order. In recent years she had become a grandmother, her favorite career. She and Jim have been long-standing members of First Baptist Church of Brandon.

A funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Brandon, 216 N. Parsons Ave, in Brandon. Services begin at 11:00 AM, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Kay’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay or to Chapters LifePath Hospice.