John Allen Jennings Sr.,76, of Lepanto died Friday, Oct. 12, in NEA Medical Center at Jonesboro.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Elizabeth Jennings Milam, and a granddaughter, Casey Kay Milam.

Jennings was the son of William and Martha Jennings, long time pioneers of Lepanto. He was a lifelong resident of Lepanto and was in his 57th year of farming. He served on the F.H.A. Advisory Committee, and as a County A.S.C.S. Committeeman. He was a member of the Lions Club for 10 years. His hobbies included hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He was involved in farming since the seventh grade.

After graduating in 1949, he began farming his father's land. He married Joyce in 1950, and they rented 140 acres of land from his father. He bought his first tractor in 1950, a John Deere square nose G-model with a square seat for $2,700. The John A. Jennings family was selected as Poinsett County Farm Family of the Year in 1995. His love for farming continued until his sudden death.

Survivors include Joyce Jo Jennings of the home; one son, John A. Jennings Jr. and wife Carla of Lepanto; one daughter, Julie Giacobbe and husband Frank of Stuart, Fla.; one brother, James Harvey Jennings of Lepanto; five grandchildren, Miranda Huffman, Melissa Barnes, John A. Jennings III, Jordan Lane Jennings and Nicholas John Giacobbe; and five great-grandchildren.