Carolyn Jennings Obituary

Carolyn Gayle Walters JenningsCarolyn Gayle Jennings of Taylorsville, Mississippi, died peacefully at home on April 22, 2023. She was 84. "Mama Gayle" was the daughter of the late Helen Rush Cannon and Tom James Walters, of Sumner, Mississippi. She is survived by her sister Martha McCaslin, of Springfield Virginia. She was preceded in death by her brother Tom Walters, Jr. , of Killeen, Texas. Gayle was married 50 years to Robert E. "Bobby" Jennings before he died in 2010. They had three children. Gayle is preceded in death by her daughters Julie Walker of Brandon and Cheryl Sullivan of Mize. Julie was married to Jeff Walker and Cheryl was married to David Sullivan. She is survived by her son Scott Jennings of Laurel, Mississippi, who is married to Mike Cockrell. Gayle is also survived by her six grandchildren, Jacob (Teresa) and Jordan Walker, Tre (Emily) and Tayler (Eliza) Polk and Bo (Elizabeth) and Josh Sullivan. She had two great grandsons, Joshua and Elijah Walker. Gayle is also survived by two amazing caretakers. Lynn Graham and Regina Boyanton cared for Mama Gayle over the past several years, providing love, care and support in a manner for which her family will be forever grateful. They are angels, and her family will be forever grateful for their care. Mrs. Jennings is also survived by numerous dedicated members of Taylorsville and Smith County's emergency responders. She once called the Taylorsville police to exterminate a snake she found in her bathroom. When asked why she called the police, she responded "because the Mayor wasn't at home or in his office when I called. " The police responded and removed the serpent. She also called the police when trees fell on her roof. . . and they responded. She called 911 when she felt nauseated, and they responded. They went above and beyond, and she was grateful. Together, Bobby and Gayle provided healthcare to thousands of citizens of Smith County regardless of sex, race, station in life, or ability to pay. They moved to Taylorsville in 1960 following Bobby's graduation from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Gayle's graduation from the University of Mississippi School of Nursing. There, they opened a medical clinic where Gayle provided nursing services, kept the books and scheduled appointments, while always making time to care for the Jennings' three children. The clinic served Taylorsville and Smith County for 47 years. While Gayle provided nursing care and was officially a Registered Nurse, she was a self-proclaimed medical expert who professed literally to her dying day that she knew more about the practice of medicine than any of her highly qualified health care providers. Gayle and Bobby didn't limit their health care services to the clinic. They welcomed patients in their home, on their driveway, on downtown streets or anywhere people were in need. Gayle was active in her community. As a faithful member of The First United Methodist Church, she sang in the choir, served as President of The United Methodist Women's Association, and served as head of youth groups. She drafted cookbooks, served as a one woman welcome committee and "oriented" countless Methodist ministers into their duties in Taylorsville. Gayle was a funny woman. While somewhat quirky, she was always entertaining. While her family will miss much about Mama Gayle, they will miss most her intelligence and sense of humor. Her keen intellect informed a dry and infectious wit. Like the time she was late for a family birthday celebration in Brandon. Somewhat disheveled, she explained to her family that she was late because she "missed the exit. " It was only after the event when her car was discovered covered with mud, grass and tree limbs that her family realized that she did, indeed, miss the exit. She apparently aimed her car at the exit on the interstate. . . but missed. She continued to drive despite her family's misgivings. Or the time she had a car accident in front of her dentist's office. She straightened her wig, walked away from the scene, and informed the person into which she had crashed that she had an appointment to make and if they could be a doll and take care of her car she would be in the dentist's chair if the police needed her. Gayle was also a member of the Taylorsville Garden Club. Like many of her generation, she viewed membership in the Garden Club as a competition more than a social club. As if to show off and prove her point, Gayle's heirloom rose bushes were in full, beautiful bloom outside her bedroom windows on the day she died. Her lantana, which are so prolific they would make Felder Rushing blush, are unmatched in a community with world class lantana. The feral cats, stray dogs and pot belly pig (we are not making this up) she kept well fed and loved with the same devotion she showed to her medical clinic patients will miss her as much as we will. Old ladies are God's greatest work of art. They take a lifetime to create and, once created, their beauty is unmatched in creation. Gayle was among God's greatest works of art. Smart, wise, funny, a bit quirky and filled with grace. One of her greatest attributes was her ability to laugh at herself. By laughing at herself, she gave us permission to laugh as well. That was a gift. When enjoying a piece of fine art, one rarely has the benefit of the artist standing by to ask what was meant by a particular brush stroke or color. You just enjoy the art and the way it makes you feel. So it was with Gayle. Don't ask. Just give thanks for the gift she was and the way she made us feel. Beautiful. Loving of all no matter their color, sex or circumstances. Simple. Complex. Entertaining. Full of grace. And oh so very funny. Her family will celebrate Gayle's life with friends at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at The First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville, following visitation at 10:00. Her remains will join Bobby's in Lambert, Mississippi at a family service to be scheduled at a later time. Gayle grew enough flowers for all of us, so if you are inclined to honor her memory in some way, please make a contribution to her granddaughter Jordan Walker's ministry in Haiti rather than sending flowers. Jordan's ministry "Potter and Clay" provides nutrition to expectant mothers, water and formula to infants and children in Haiti, and education for students whose families cannot pay for the cost of school in Haiti. Donations can be made at www. potterandclay. org, or at Post Office Box 353, Florence, Mississippi 39073. Please give whether you knew Mama Gayle or not. It is a great cause and an absolutely wonderful charity. To say Gayle took the unbiblical liberty of pride in Jordan and her work (and that of all of her children and grandchildren) would be an understatement. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Carolyn Gayle Jennings, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.