Shirley Mae (Smith) Jennette

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I kept the faith.”

                                                                                                         2 Timothy 4:7

Mrs. Shirley Mae Smith Jennette, of 1801 Allen Road died Friday, March 20, 2020.  A viewing is scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2020 from 3:00 PM til 7:00 PM at Sycamore Chapel Baptist Church, 1610 Farmville Blvd, Greenville, North Carolina 27834. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Mrs. Jennette will be laid to rest in Homestead Memorial Gardens, located in Greenville, North Carolina, Saturday, April 4, 2020, at 11:00 AM.  

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On Friday morning March 20, 2020, at 2:18 AM, God called Mrs. Jennette to her eternal rest at the age of 80. The angels of God ushered her into her heavenly home surrounded by her children.

She is preceded in death by her parents John Lewis Smith and Della Ruth House Smith,  Jimmy Lee Jennette Sr., late husband, Robert Lewis Jennette, son,  John Henry Smith, brother, Queenie Small, sister-in-law, and Tom and George Murray, brothers-in-laws.

Shirley received her education from Simpson and G.R. Whitfield Training School. She attended Sweet Hope Freewill Baptist Church as a child and later after marriage joined Saint Monica Missionary Baptist Church, where she served in the choir and on the usher board. In 2009, she joined Sycamore Chapel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor B.T. Walston Sr., where she faithfully served and was ordained as a mother.

Shirley worked at G.R. Whitefield School for thirty years in the cafeteria. After retiring, she worked at Sycamore Chapel Tender Touch Child Care until her health declined. She was affectionately known by the by those at the child care center as, “Grandma Shirley.” She loved her family and she loved to cook. She would prepare meals for the family throughout the year until her health declined.

She leaves to cherish with her memory, her children, Co-Pastor Debra Walston ( Pastor B.T Walston), Minister Della Walston (Reverend Doctor Larry Walston), and Jimmy Lee Jennette Jr. (Dorothy Jennette);  grandchildren, Pastor Jay Walston (Jeutuanna Walston), Pastor Tresha Williams ( Pastor Ron Williams), Kimberly Walston, Christina Bynum (Darrell Bynum) Larry Walston Jr (Lakresha Walston), Kenyetta Robinson (Michael Robinson), Donnell Walston, Trey Roach, Devin Jennette, and Alice Ward; 31 great grandchildren; siblings, Minister Geraldine Ward, Helen Parker, Minister Magalene Stephenson (Reverend Joseph Stevenson), and Minster Delphia Anderson; one brother-in-law, Pastor Robert Whitaker (Martha Whitaker); and a host of, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

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Rountree Family Mortuary & Cremation Service’s  Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

On behalf of Rountree Family Mortuary, we want to extend our sincere condolences to your family in the passing of your loved one.  We want to thank you for trusting us with their care.  Rountree Family Mortuary realize we face challenging times in the midst of the current public health crisis caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Rountree Family Mortuary realize that many of you are receiving questions from family members and have questions of your own related to the Coronavirus.  Rountree Family Mortuary pledges to do everything, within the mandated governmental guidelines, to ensure you have the peace of mind and are able to grieve and celebrate the life and memories of your loved one like everyone else before the emergency procedures took effect.

Please be assured that your safety and the safety of our staff are the number one priority at Rountree Family Mortuary. The Government has declared we cannot exceed (50) persons that can lawfully gather in one building.  The permitted number is always subject to change. In an effort to protect you and our staff from unnecessary exposure, we respectfully request:

If you have a cold or have been around someone with a cold, please stay home

Please observe the social distance requirement by staying 6 feet away from others

Please cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash

Avoid hugging, kissing, or touching others

Please wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds

Please use hand sanitizer when available

In an effort to bring as many members of your family, friend, co-workers, and the community together to participate as they would in normal times, we will be providing live streaming of the funeral services to provide access to anyone who wants to feel and be a part of the service.

It is critically important that the families be allowed to share their loss with others through a traditional family gathering.  Rountree Family Mortuary is willing to help you plan a more traditional service once the public health circumstances have improved.  This is a rapidly evolving situation and information and guidance changes frequently.  We will continue to update you with new or relevant information as the need arises.

Rountree Family Mortuary is dedicated to continue helping families find healing and hope even in the worst of times.  

May God bless you and keep you,

THE ROUNTREE FAMILY

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 Note:

Livestream information: Sycamore Chapel MBC via Facebook Live  from 6:00 PM til 7:00 PM.

Homestead Memorial Gardens has a set limit of (50) people allowed at the cemetery site, however, there is no limit to those who wish to remain in their vehicles.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Mae (Smith) Jennette, please visit our floral store.