Wilburn Mark Jennings, Sr.

Wilburn Mark Jennings, Sr., 85, resident of Somerville, Tennessee, died peacefully at home with his family Monday, July 26, 2010 at 9:30 A.M.

He is survived by his wife Opal of 64 years, his 5 children: Mark, Donna DeGroff, Suzette Bernheim, Dale, and James; his sons and daughter-in-law:  Rick Bernheim, Melanie Jennings and Jim DeGroff; his 5 grandchildren: Zachary and Kelley DeGroff, David and Nathaniel Bernheim and Lydia Jennings; and his 3 great grandchildren: Isaac DeGroff, Natalie Turk and Zy Greenwood. He is also survived by his siblings Vida Yates, Gene Templeton and Jimmy Jennings; his sisters and brothers-in-law Beth and Annie Jennings, Pat and Shirley Frame, Frank and Lee Frame, Don Templeton and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends throughout the country.

Wilburn was born on January 11, 1925 in Smithland, Tennessee, to the late Louise & James Jennings. He was known to many as an honest, hard-working, family man. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend to many. During the Great Depression at the young age of 15, he and his twin brother, Lilburn, joined the CC Camps. They served in the Marine Corps during World War II from 1942 to 1946. Wilburn was educated in agriculture; he loved the land and cattle farming. He retired from Civil Service, was a 32 freemason and a charter member of the Adak, Alaska Shriners.

Wilburn, “Daddy”, “Papa”, lived a long and good life. He will be greatly missed. Until we meet again…