Billie Jean Burnes Jennings

 Billie Jean Burns Jennings, beloved only child of the late Billie George Burns and Cornelia Dial

Burns, passed away in her sleep on August 13. She was married to her husband, Ralls Jennings for 69 years before he passed away 6 weeks earlier. She was the mother of 3 children, Luci Jennings, Russ Jennings (Linda), and Don Jennings (deceased). Her grandchildren are Julie King, Evan Webb, Jeanna Edgerton, Belle Jennings, Lucas Jennings, Remy Jennings, Jesse Jennings, Matthew Jennings, and Holly Jennings.

She and Ralls, almost inseparable for 70 years, raised a close-knit family while running a business and experiencing places all over the world. Due to military service, education, and job changes, the early years of marriage saw them living in Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida before settling down in Trion, Georgia in 1965. Billie worked as Church Secretary at Trion First Baptist Church, her church home for all her years in Trion.

In 1972, Ralls and Billie started J Bar Corporation. Billie was the original employee and handled the financial aspects of the business while also helping raise her grandchildren when they came along. As their parents worked at J Bar, the grandchildren would stay with Billie at her office at J Bar.

Billie and Ralls loved to travel and see other places and people. Business trips included visiting China, Denmark, Italy, and Spain in addition to places all over the U.S. The older grandchildren fondly remember accompanying their grandparents on trips to St. George Island, Mexico, and Europe.

Mexico held a special charm for them. They made several family trips there in the late 1960’s and then moved to Saltillo, Mexico after their retirement in 1996. After Mexico, they lived in Midtown Atlanta for several years, then Marietta before coming back to Trion a few years ago. Her last months were spent in the Memory Care at The Spires at Berry College where she charmed the staff with her smile and good spirit.

Billie Jennings will be remembered for her love and devotion to her husband, Ralls, and her children and grandchildren as well as for her upbeat nature and bright smile that touched all who knew her.

The family will have a private gathering to celebrate her life.

Thanks to our friend, Elvia Berry, for her care of Billie and her friendship to the entire family.

Thanks to Tracey Rogers and the other nurses at Heyman Hospice.

We appreciate the care and support she was given by the staff in memory care at The Spires at Berry College.

Memorial donations may be made to the Chattooga County Library.