James Chester Jennings Jr.

James Chester Jennings James Chester Jennings, Jr. (Chester) was born on January 10, 1934 in Washington, DC. He was the son of the late James Chester Jennings, Sr. and Luberta Watson Jennings. He died peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 after a short illness. Chester was educated in the public school system of Washington, DC and graduated from Armstrong Technical High School, 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952. He was honorably discharged from the United States Naval Reserve after serving a total of eight years including two years as an Electrician's Mate third-class petty officer on the U.S.S. Forrestal (CVA-59), which was the Navy's first super aircraft carrier. He was a member of the Forrestal Association, INC. He enjoyed attending their reunions and meeting his old shipmates. He did a portrait of James Forrestal, the former Secretary of Defense of whom the carrier is named for. He was employed as an Illustrator and held many titles at various agencies: Art Director of the Army Reserve Magazine (1968), Freelance Artist at Southbound International, Inc. (1970), Cover Designer of AT&T Long Lines (1972), and Illustrator for US Navy Oceanographic Magazine. In 1972, Chester reentered the Federal Government (USDA) as a Visual Information Specialist and an Art Director. While at the Department of Agriculture, he was a member of President Jimmy Carter’s transition team. He received a letter commending him of work well done. Chester joined Campbell AME Church at age 16 where he was a dedicated member until the time of his death. He was elected Trustee at the age of 25 and served as Financial Secretary for 25 years. He was a Trustee for 44 years. Organizations that he served on where Campbell Men’s Club (Treasurer) where he started the Endowment Fund; member of the Celestial, Senior and Gospel Choirs and Men’s Chorus. He was also a member of the Wednesday night Bible Study and Sunday school of which he was a teacher. He was also a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor for Art. Chester had many interests including researching his family’s genealogy. He traced his family tree back to 1807. When anyone in the family wanted to know about the family connections, Chester was the one they went to. He remembered all data concerning the family. He enjoyed going to family reunions and telling all who would listen about their family. Chester was also a very talented Portrait artist. He started drawing at the age of 3. He won many accolades and awards for his art. He has drawn many portraits and other art pieces for people all over the country. Chester had many past times and hobbies. One particular was going to the Jennings family gatherings at Mill Point Shores during the summer holidays. He bowled, played chess, watched the Redskins play football, and enjoyed watching movies. He also enjoyed taking care of his Koi fish in a backyard pond he made himself or putting on his putting green that he also made himself. Chester absolutely loved being a grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with all of his grandchildren. His grandson, Tarik, fondly remembers how his grandfather nurtured his love of model airplanes and how he shares in his talent as an artist. One of Chester’s favorite past times was teaching his grandsons, Tarik and Damon, how to golf. He started them both on their golf journeys and even made their first sets of clubs. He would take Damon to golf practices weekly and enroll him in golf camps. Because of his teachings, Damon joined his High School Golf Team and won first place in the PG County School’s Freshman Golf Tournament. He was so proud of them all. The Great Frederick Fair was also one of Chester’s favorite outings with his family or just with his wife, Carol. Once he entered the fairgrounds, he immediately had to have a crab cake and right before leaving, he had to have an elephant ear to take home. Having luncheon dates and going to movies with his daughters, Glenda and Candace was also a favorite past time. One of the highlights of his life was the surprised 85th birthday party that his wife and daughters had for him. He was so elated to see all his family members and friends. Chester was married to his loving wife, Carol Jennings for 37 years who he met while working at the Department of Agriculture. He is survived by those who mourn him: wife Carol, his two daughters CDR, Glenda Jennings Harrison, CHC, USN, (ret); Itinerant Elder at Reid Temple AME Church, Glendale, MD and Candace Jennings (Allante); five grandchildren, Lahquisha Harrison Brooks (Tracy, Sr.) Tarik Asim Harrison, Damon Lamont Chester Battle, Amare Xavier Carlton, and Ava Simone Carlton; three great-grandchildren; Ashley Harrison, Tracy Brooks, Jr, and Ze’Veyon Paige, and two great-great grandsons; Cayden Touch and Kacey Brooks. He doted on all of them. He was so proud to be a grandfather. Chester is also survived by two sisters; Jeanette Dyson, Adrienne Bennett (Curtis) and one brother, Charles Jennings (Sylvia). Two sister in laws, Helen Jackson and Patricia Jennings. Three sisters and a brother preceded him in death; Ethel Jennings, Barbara Jennings, Beverly Rubain, and George Jennings. He also leaves to mourn many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. Chester will be remembered as a loving, kind and gentle person who loved his family and the Lord.

Tributes

James Chester Jennings Jr.

January 10, 1934 - December 29, 2020