November 6, 1932 – August 3, 2025
Dr. Jerry Donovan (Don) Jennings, Sr., 92, entered the presence of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his home in Noblesville. He was born on November 6, 1932, to Pastor B.C. and Beulah Jennings in Oak Hill, W.V.
Don attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago before serving in the United States Navy. He graduated from Piedmont Bible College and went on to serve the Lord all his adult life. He pastored Timberlake Baptist Church (Lynchburg, Va.), First Baptist Church (Fenton, Mich.), Central Baptist Church, Gary, Ind.), Calvary Baptist Church (Ypsilanti, Mich.) where he started Calvary Christian School, Highland Park Baptist Church (Chattanooga, Tenn.), and First Baptist Church (Temecula, Calif.). For 10 years, Don was the Director of Enrichment and Evangelism for the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (Harrisburg, Pa.), where he visited, shared the Gospel, and ministered to missionaries in 73 countries around the world. He served as the President of Tennessee Temple University and Seminary (Chattanooga, Tenn.), as the President of Northwest Baptist Seminary (Tacoma, Wash.), as well as the Director of Northwest Baptist Missions (Tacoma, Wash.). He was a charter member of Hope Bible Fellowship (Noblesville). An avid boater, reader, and author of many books, his greatest joy was in preaching and sharing the Gospel.
Don is survived by his wife of 71 years, Doris Lee (Swearingen) Jennings, who faithfully served alongside him through his years of ministry. Also surviving him are his two sons, Dr. Michael Van (Jennifer) Jennings of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Pastor Jerry Don (Lisa) Jennings II of Noblesville; five grandchildren, Christa Lee Jennings, Joy Elyse Jennings, Jerry Don (Taylor) Jennings III, Clayton Michael (Jamie) Jennings, and Stephanie Carolyn-Lee (Stephen) Hall; and eight great-grandchildren, Madeline Jennings, Holland Jennings, Haven Jennings, Haddon Jennings, Arabelle Jennings, Ryleigh Hall, McKenna Hall, and a great-grandchild due to be born in December. Further surviving are siblings, James (LaRene) Jennings (Atlanta, Ga.), Carolyn Sue Jennings (Dallas, Texas), and Bill (Sue) Jennings (West Branch, Mich.).
Preceding Don in death were his parents; and sister, Josephine Jennings.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Hope Bible Fellowship, 772 N. 10th St., Noblesville. A private burial will be in Crownland Cemetery, 1776 Monument St., Noblesville.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. Jerry Don Jennings, Sr. can be mailed to Hope Bible Fellowship, P.O. Box 546, Noblesville, IN 46061.
Condolences: randallroberts.com