Clara Jennings

She attended Nebo High School. In 1938 she graduated from Cecil’s Business College in Asheville, NC. Her employment career began with S&W Cafeterias in Asheville, NC as secretary to the manager.

In 1940 she left Asheville, NC to join her sister Pearl Sams in the finance industry in Winston-Salem, NC. She later transferred to Greensboro, NC where she made her home for the next 60 years before moving to Ocala, FL.

In 1942, she married Edwin P. Jennings who predeceased her in 1987.

She is survived by one son, Henry Edwin Jennings (Carolyn) of Ocala, FL, granddaughters; Deborah Edewaard (Steve) of Clearwater, FL and Sherry Morgan (Zach) of Sanford, FL; five great grandchildren, Jonathan, Rebecca and Caroline Edewaard of Clearwater, FL and Shelby and Andrew Morgan of Sanford, FL and three nieces; Mary Sams Hill of Winston-Salem, NC Rebecca James of Tampa, FL and Linda Yarboro of Raleigh, NC. Two brothers, William Hoke and Paul Simpson and sister Pearl Sams predeceased her.

Clara stayed active in the finance industry managing Citizens Loan and Finance until her company was sold and later became American General from whom she retired. Clara loved her family and doing volunteer work with Moses Cone Health System and First Baptist Church where she was a 60+ member. She worked in the 5-K Children’s ministry for 38 years, active in the “Together We Build” campaign and other areas of the church.

She attended First Baptist in Ocala, FL after moving.

She will have a graveside service on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 11am at Forsyth Memorial Garden with Dr. Alan Sherouse presiding.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Ministry of First Baptist Church, 1000 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27401.

To view the service on March 8, 2021 please click on the following link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RhqKyytoAGtwJIyH5RiOke5P6cFDrPVh/view?usp=sharing