A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JACOB HILL JENNINGS OF BISHOPVILLE AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of their former colleague the Honorable Jacob Hill Jennings of Bishopville at the age of ninety-five on May 19, 2025; and

 

Whereas, a lifelong resident of Lee County, Jacob was the son of Henry and Mary Jennings. He graduated from Bishopville High School (1947) and Wofford College (1950), where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and Blue Key, served as editor of the annual, and was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. In 1953, Jacob graduated cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Law. There, he was editor of the school's law review and was the recipient of the Claude Sapp Award, bestowed in recognition of scholarship, leadership, and industry. Further, this patriotic American served two years in the United States Air Force and twenty-six years in the active Air Force Reserves, from which he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel; and

 

Whereas, Jacob joined his father in the practice of law in Bishopville in 1955, after which the firm became known as Jennings & Jennings. His younger brother, Robert, joined the firm some five years later, and the partnership continued until their father's death in 1978. Robert Jennings passed away in 2011, and Jacob continued to practice with two associates until he retired after sixty-five years of service as a Bishopville attorney; and

 

Whereas, in his professional life, Jacob served as town attorney for Bishopville for over fifty years and represented the Lee County School Board for many years. He also served his profession as president of the South Carolina Bar, as well as of the South Carolina Bar Foundation, and he served terms on several committees and boards of the South Carolina Bar. Named a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1983, Jacob served a term as state chair of that organization. In 1998, the University of South Carolina School of Law Alumni Association honored Jacob with the Platinum Compleat Lawyer Award in recognition of his competence, ethics, and integrity; and

 

Whereas, moreover, Jacob was chair of the Lee County Hospital Board for several years and a longtime member of the National Bank of South Carolina Board of Directors. He served a term in the South Carolina House of Representatives and was on the Boy Scouts of America Board of Review, himself an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. Besides his professional and civic duties, Jacob enjoyed hunting, playing golf, traveling, and vacationing at the beach with family and friends; and

 

Whereas, as a man of faith, Jacob loved his church, Bethlehem United Methodist, and was a faithful lifelong member of that body. He served as a Sunday school teacher in both the youth and adult departments and twice served as chair of the administrative board, as well as on the board of trustees, and was chair of the Council on Ministries. In addition, he was an active member of the Joe Fanning Sunday School Class for more than sixty-five years; and

 

Whereas, Jacob Jennings leaves to cherish his memory his dear wife of sixty-seven years, Jane Marie Hancock Jennings; his son, Jacob Hill Jennings Jr.; his daughter, Rebekah Jennings Murphy; three grandchildren, Rachel Leigh Jennings Bowen, Jacob ("Coby") Hill Jennings III, and Kathryn Marie Murphy; and a host of other family members and friends; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House are grateful for the life and legacy of Jacob Jennings and for the example of service and excellence he set for all who knew him. He will be missed. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable Jacob Hill Jennings of Bishopville and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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