Paul Jennings

Paul Anthony Jennings, age 68, of Gulfport, passed away on June 1, 2022.

Paul was born in Phoenix City, AL, on March 8, 1954. Because he was such a considerate man, Paul never gave much thought to biological connections or DNA.  If he loved you, you knew it and that was that. His sister, Mary Ann, was born next across the bridge in Columbus, GA, the town when Paul started his life’s journey. Because his mom was very young, Paul enjoyed the attention of his maternal grandparents, T. Clifford Cherry and Essie McLaney Cherry whom he referred to as “papa and mama” for most of his youth. His paternal grandparents, Nolan Russell Jennings and Ethel Betts Jennings and they also loved him very much.

He lived in Columbus for some time, rode his bike up and down the steep hills and had a paper route as his first of many jobs.

Paul was married four times throughout his life. While married to his first wife, Jan, they had a son, David Jennings. There was speculation that David was not Paul’s biological son, and DNA proved he was not. However, David and Paul met later on in life and developed a relationship that spanned the rest of his years.

Paul married Pat and had two sons, Derek Robertson and Mathew Smith. He served as father to both of the boys and would adopt Derek. Derek married Katie Lusk in 2006, and they had two sons, Mason and Jackson. After Derek and Katie separated, Paul and Sue, would stay in touch with Mason and Jackson the best they could. Paul also stayed in touch with Patricia’s two sons, Matt and Derek, until Paul’s passing. While Paul was married to Pat, he became fast friends with Pat’s brother-in-law, John Hard. John was Paul’s best man in his fourth marriage to Sue.  John and Paul remained close for the remainder of Paul’s life. The two best friends founded a hot sauce company called Cajohn’s Fiery Foods and worked together for many years. As a foursome, Paul, Sue and Mr. and Mrs. Hard, enjoyed years of vacations, road trips and watching college football. Paul pulled for Alabama while John loved Ohio State. They all enjoyed many games together and no matter which team won, the four would celebrate, eat and share photos of food back and forth.  Paul, being an avid Alabama fan, collected tons of BAMA items going back to the Bear Bryant days. The BAMA paraphernalia extends from one end of the house to the other. Paul’s mother, Beth, was an even bigger BAMA fan.

At an early age, Paul’s parents introduced him to NASCAR. Although he was not an Earnhardt fan, he loved Bill Elliot, Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Chase Elliot and others. Paul was most happy the closer he got to Pit Row. His brother, Russell, was also a huge race fan and would often use his pass credentials to get Paul to the Pit.

At one time, Paul was a competition fisherman and participated in many bass fishing events. Paul also loved his guns and hunting deer. Unfortunately, the deer population began to gradually decline. Due to Paul’s increasing interest in a new musical hobby, Paul began playing the drums.

Paul’s family was musical. His mom sang in bands for years, he had one sister who played the flute, the other sister played the clarinet and maracas, his brother was a drummer, and his dad was also a drummer. Paul never bragged, but when the band, DeVille, was in need of a sit-in drummer, Paul would come to life. Beginning as a sit-in drummer for DeVille, Paul would become a competent band leader, booking agent and provider of jobs for musicians who varied from year to year.  Everyone who worked for Paul, loved him as he would not only keep the band together, but drove everyone to the venues and we all made terrific money. Paul supplied the bands with a traveling bus and would always cut up with the members by telling jokes. The band gained recognition by playing in the MS Blues Festival so many times that the band name would evolve into getting the Mississippi’s 191st Gulf Coast Blues and Heritage Festival marker; which now stands in Pascagoula, MS by the fairgrounds.

Over the years, Paul proved his merit in many ways and one of his hobbies was cooking. He worked on his BBQ as the “Smokin Allowed” creator and at times assisted by his sister, Paige, he won numerous awards in different states and was elected to be a certified BBQ judge. He served as a judge at many Kansas City BBQ events.

Paul was a HAM radio enthusiast with the call letters KG5SER. His friend Doc will be handling his silent last call, which will be Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 6pm.

One could not write a proper story about Paul without mentioning his nickname, “Twine”, short for Antoine.  It’s funny that later in life, this led us to find an ancestor of Paul’s named Richard Antoine Beaubien, so his family made an awesome choice.

Paul was preceded in death by his stepdad, Irvin Cooperman; all his grandparents, Nolan Russell Jennings, Ethel Betts Jennings, T. Clifford Cherry and Essie McLaney Cherry.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sue Venable Jennings; his parents, Russell Howard Jennings and Beth Cherry Cooperman; his children David Jennings (Sandy), Jeffery Venable (Mary), Matt Smith, and Derek Robertson; his siblings, Mary Ann (Tomas) Medina, Russell Jennings, II (Teri), and Paige (Trae) Parham; his grandchildren, Justice Shyann Venable (Bobby), Mason Robertson, Jackson Robertson, Mariah Jennings (Tyler), Karlee Johnson (Donovyn), Dustin Jennings (Madisen); his great grandchildren, Tenton Johnson, Lincoln Hubbard; his nephews, Griffin Wingate-Sinclair, Russell Jennings, III, Carter Medina, Nick Medina, Nathan Hard, and Kyle Gilmore; his nieces, Victoria Jennings, Erin Hard, and Julie Hard.

Paul Anthony Jennings was a man whose shoes will never be filled with someone else’s feet. He stood 6’5” tall and in everyone else’s mind, he might as well have been 10’ tall and bulletproof. Unfortunately, Paul’s massive, strong body would let him down in the end. He suffered for years with heart and kidney related issues but bore the pain well. He never smoked, other that the occasional celebratory cigar. He barely ever drank. He accepted responsibility easily and fulfilled the dreams of so many people in so many ways. He was a Christian man who believed in Christ Jesus so much it might make another man blush. He bore his pain and never complained.  He was “Big Paul” to his musician friends only because of his giant heart.  He was a gentle giant filled with love for his God, his family, and his friends.

Big Paul Anthony Jennings was a legend in everyone’s mind. He was a superior son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a cool country gentleman who had pride in his country and never missed a chance to tell a joke, his opinion or comment on politics. He was a Republican, Trump loving American. There is not a person out there that can dispute that.

He worked hard as a truck driver for Sysco Foods, working days and nights. He had friends of every color, background, and race. You either loved him or you almost worshipped him, as there was really no in between. He was no saint, but he rarely misbehaved. Paul loved his dogs and cats, but he had a superlove for all the Shelties in his life.  The dogs he raised were, Jacques, Sasha, Mac, Colby, Ginger, and Winston. The cat’s names were Catfish, Bootsy, Bill, Koko, Chloe, Callie, and Jack.  Everyone was a rescue.  All were loved equally.  Hopefully, Paul will be able to see the Rainbow Bridge from Heaven.

Thank you to our family and friends, especially our church family at Cornerstone Community Church. Paul was a part of the worship team as a drummer for years. He was so proud of that.

The celebration of Paul’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Cornerstone Community Church, 425 Cowan Road, Gulfport, MS 39507. Please just be there and join us.  Paul’s spirit will be waiting.  Per Tom Petty, “The Waiting is the Hardest Part”.  Just know the wait, for Paul, is over.  He is home with Jesus, and we will miss him until we get the chance to join him again.  Sue says, “I love you honey, and the waiting is hard.  But I will see you, if God sees fit to put me up there when He is ready.”

Riemann Family funeral Home, Gulfport, served the family.  Memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com