South Carolina H 4831: Jacob Jennings, sympathy

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4831 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 14, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4831

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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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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This web page was last updated on January 14, 2026 at 02:46 PM