Melvin D. Jennings (Plainview)

Melvin Donnell Jennings, 86 passed from this life peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family on June 29, 2017, at Prairie House in Plainview, TX. Funeral services will be at 9:00 AM on Monday, July 3, 2017 at Northwest Church of Christ with Dee Teel officiating. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 2, 2017 from 4-5 P.M. at the funeral home. Melvin Jennings was born on November 18, 1930, to Frank and Ovie Vaughn Jennings at home on the farm northwest of Tulia, TX where he lived continuously for 52 years. He then resided in Tulia for 30 years, after which he relocated to Plainview for 5 years. Melvin attended school mostly in Happy, TX until 11th grade and graduated from Tulia High School in 1949. Melvin married Martha Nell Whitfill of Lockney, TX on September 12, 1950, in Clovis, New Mexico. Melvin farmed the same land as his father, and worked other farms, until 1990, producing milo, wheat, cotton, corn, soybeans, beef, and pork. Melvin was a part-time real estate agent for about 5 years, and later served as a correctional officer at the Tulia Unit, retiring after serving for 14 years. Melvin served as a song leader, deacon, and elder at the Church of Christ in Tulia, and was a member at Northwest Church of Christ after moving to Plainview. Melvin enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, piloting small airplanes, motorcycle riding, auto racing, and Jeep driving in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. Melvin is survived by his wife Martha of 66 years, 3 children: Vicki Hayes & husband Mark and Pam Hamby & husband Larry of Plainview and Steve Jennings & wife Vanessa of Harlingen, TX, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Odell, and son, Randall Craig, in 1976. Melvin was a loving, entertaining, caring, and serving person and will be missed by many whom he served and influenced. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Evangelist Support in care of Northwest Church of Christ 2000 N. I-27, Plainview, TX 79072 or Rose Hill Cemetery P.O. Box 116, Tulia, TX 79088.