Floyd L. Jennings, J.D., Ph.D
1940-2021
On April 21, 2021, Floyd L. Jennings, J.D., Ph.D. passed after a lengthy illness. Born in 1940, Dr. Jennings entered undergraduate school at the age of 16 and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree from McMurry University, a Master's degree of Sacred Theology from Southern Methodist University, a PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and a JD from University of Houston. Dr. Jennings spent his career working with the Methodist Church as a minister, private practice as a clinical psychologist, the Harris County Sheriff's Office Reserve, and most recently as Chief of the Mental Health Division of the Harris County Public Defender's Office.
Dr. Jennings is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years Shirley Jennings, six children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you donate to your favorite charity.
Services will be held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas 77027, at 11:00 a.m. on 6/12/2021; with Dr. Tom Pace, Dr. Charles Millikan, and Dr. Chappell Temple, pastors, officiating.
Live streaming will be available at https://www.stlukesmethodist.org/memorial-livestream-7/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on May 2, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Floyd Jennings

Sponsored by Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home.

4 Entries

Gerald & Judy White

June 12, 2021

Floyd shared his heart condition with me after his Cardiac team described their treatment plan with all it’s uncertainties. I replied with the following commentary.

My dear old (younger than me) friend Floyd;
Judy and I are deeply concerned about the health challenges you are facing as well as the burden of worries Shirley is carrying in her heart. Our prayers for comfort, and assurance we love you both and God loves you even more!

You describe your heart condition “...as congestive heart failure,...” We know that is a troubling diagnosis with outcomes that may be life changing or terminal. However, we would like to activate a “remember the past” part of your brain (our brain too) so we can review other dimensions of your heart. You see, you also possess a heart not defined by “failure!” Your other heart beats with a spiritual rhythm pointing to your ministry in a world where many search for faith foundations. Another heart rhythm began revealing a need for an advocate of justice for those who had stumbled legally. Yet another rhythm began showing you images of so many who were troubled by uncertainty about their health. Your heart shaped your life to be pastor, lawyer, physician. All this and enriching your life as husband, father, grandfather and friend.

We pray your heart having demanded the attention of doctors can be and will be redefined (from failure) to extended warranty. Our sincere hope and prayers join with hope and prayers you and Shirley continue to lift up to the Creator who made the mysterious life creation process combining two incomprehensible DNA life-creating instructions to gift our world with a person named Floyd.

Furthermore, we hold in our memory one heart becoming weary from long years of witnessing how to love the un-lovable, how to hold the hand of those condemned and forgotten, and to offer prescriptions of healing to the suffering. Beyond all that, our life and work and character are, and will always be enriched by the heart that did not fail, could not fail, and is the heart that imprinted our souls how to be in compassionate service.

We wake up each day to an uncertain and unknowable future. So finally, we encompass Shirley and Floyd with our faith, hope, compassion, love and with every living being, we commit to live our gift of life well until we die!

With love and thankfulness for being one of our greatest life gifts to enrich the experience of so many things we were able to do together as a friendship family.

Another brother and sister always: Gerald and Judy White

Ron Cherry

May 12, 2021

I will always remember him as being a kind, friendly, caring, loyal, and trustworthy person. In my 25+ years of knowing him, he never changed. I am fortunate to have known him and to have benefited from his vast knowledge and expertise.
Rest in peace,
Ron Cherry

May 7, 2021

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I so wished Dr Jenning's story had had a different ending! He fought so hard to get well and go back home. I hope all of you are comforted in the knowledge that he is in a better place now.
Susan P Williams MD
Baylor Geriatrics

Nancy Gajan

May 5, 2021

What a dear, sweet man. I worked as a Legal Assistant for State Counsel for Offenders with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for many years and we requested Dr. Jennings' expertise on many cases. It was a pleasure working with him, getting to have discussions with him regarding our cases and just life in general. He was such a joy to sit and visit with. My sympathies and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.

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