Margaret Eads Jennings

Margaret Eads Jennings, age 95, the loving matriarch of both the Eads and Jennings families, passed from this life to her eternal glory on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at her home of more than 50 years, surrounded by her loved ones.

Margaret was born on January 15, 1929, in Calhoun, Georgia, the first child of J. Melvin Eads and Inez Reeves Eads (later Howell). Soon thereafter, the family moved to Shannon, and this is where Margaret spent her youth. She graduated from Model High School and was known as a fierce competitor on the Lady Devils basketball team. She was also an avid horsewoman, telling her family many tales of her adventures on her beloved horse, Tony.

In 1960, she married the love of her life, Parnick Jennings, Sr. For the next six decades, Margaret dedicated her life to ministry alongside Parnick, offering solace and support to bereaved families across Northwest Georgia. Whether it was at Jennings Funeral Home, the West Oak Chapel, or Parnick Jennings, Sr.’s Good Shepherd Funeral Home, she was a beacon of comfort in times of sorrow, offering compassion and guidance to those navigating the difficult journey of loss.

Outside of her vocational calling, she embraced life with an infectious spirit of adventure. Her love for the Atlanta Braves was as unwavering as her commitment to her vocation. For many years, she journeyed to spring training, accompanied by her beloved husband and cherished only sister, Betty. Their travels were not just about baseball; they were treasured moments of togetherness pursuing their shared passion.

Even as the years advanced, her dedication to the Braves never waned. As her health declined, she remained a steadfast Braves fan, never missing a game and watching the same game replays multiple times. We have fond memories of her glued to the TV wearing her Austin Riley jersey and World Series Ring.

Her greatest joy, however, transcended the confines of any stadium or chapel. It was her family that brought her the most profound happiness. With boundless love and grace, she made each member of her family feel as though they were the most important person in the world. Her Christian faith was the guiding force behind her every action, infusing her ministry and her relationships with unwavering compassion and selflessness. Indeed, her faith is the greatest legacy she leaves to her family—a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to God and each other.

Her legacy extends far beyond the confines of the baseball diamond or the funeral home. It lives on in the countless lives she touched with her kindness, her unwavering faith, and her zest for life. She taught us that true joy can be found in both the triumphs of our favorite team and the tender moments shared with those we hold dear. Although she may have passed on from this world, her spirit lives on to continue to inspire and uplift those who were fortunate enough to know her.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, J. Parnick Jennings, Sr.; her “second mother”, Mary Nell Thomas Eads; daughter, Jan Jennings Musick; sister, Betty Eads LeCroy; brother, James Michael Eads; and brother, Raymond Vaughn "Butch" Howell.

Surviving to continue her legacy of love are son James Parnick Jennings, Jr. and wife Tina of Cartersville; son-in-law Clyde A. Musick of Rome; brother Tom Eads and wife JoAnn of Armuchee; sister-in-law Pam Eads of Rome; brother Danny Howell and wife Keith of Rome; granddaughter Tara Kirkland Inman and husband Brian of Rome; grandson Clay Kirkland and wife Becky of Titusville, PA; grandson Parnick Spencer Musick of Greensboro, NC; grandson James Jacob Musick of Rossville; grandson Zach Tinkle and wife Sarah of Dallas, GA; granddaughter Megan Tinkle of Rockmart; great-grandchildren Maggie, Davis, Wesley, and Harrison Inman of Rome, Della and Seth Kirkland of Titusville, PA, and Henry and Norah Tinkle of Dallas, GA. She also especially cherished her relationships with her Eads niece and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was “Nena” to us all. We would also be remiss if we did not mention her dear friend and neighbor, Marilyn Allison, for her many, many years of love, friendship, and support for Margaret, not the least of which was providing her with Blondie, Margaret’s canine best friend, companion, and protector over these last 3 years. 

The family extends our deepest gratitude to our wonderful teams of caretakers from Care at Home and Interim Healthcare who provided companionship and care for our beloved “Nena” during the final years, weeks and days of her life.  Your attentive care and compassion allowed her to remain in her home until the end of her life, which was her greatest wish.  We especially want to thank Tammy for her many years of companionship and Natasha, Melissa, and Leigh Ann for their genuine love and absolute devotion to making her final days as comfortable and peaceful as possible.  We could not have done it without you.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, March 13, at Salmon Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM in the chapel of Salmon Funeral Home on Thursday, March 14, with the Rev. David Brooks officiating with assistance from Parnick Jennings, Tara Inman, and Brian Inman. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until the service hour. Interment will follow at East View Cemetery.

Pallbearers are nephews Chris Eads, Cory Eads, Eric Eads, and Brad Eads, grandson Jacob Musick, grandson-in-law Brian Inman, and great-grandson Harrison Inman. 

For those wishing to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider supporting Floyd Felines and Friends (P.O. Box 2364. Rome, GA 30164) or the Rome-Floyd Humane Society (518 Broad St, Rome, GA 30161), both organizations that are dear to our family’s hearts and that honor another of Margaret’s greatest loves, animals in need.