Lurone “Coach” Jennings, Sr.
Lurone “Coach” Jennings, Sr. was born in Lafayette, Alabama on April 11, 1954, to Fred Young Jennings and Mary Emma (Polly) Jennings. He lived 70 full years of life and legacy. Like an eagle, he peacefully soared into heaven on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at a local hospital surrounded by his loved ones.
Lurone was a 1972 graduate of Howard High School where he excelled on and off the field and court as a member of the Hustling Tigers’ football, basketball, and track teams. He earned a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education from Fisk University in 1977. After his return to Chattanooga, he married his loving wife, Candy, and dedicated his life to educating the minds of the future in the community that he loved immensely. In May 1983, Lurone made what he has always testified as the most important decision of his life and that was accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He did his trial sermon in 1986 and began his pastoral service at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and Berachah Baptist Church. Lurone’s love for Jesus Christ and gratitude toward his testimony ignited his faith, which sparked a passion for sharing the goodness of God and leading souls to Jesus Christ.
For 15 years, Lurone, affectionately called Coach, led with faith, love, purpose and wisdom, as he poured into students’ lives as a teacher and coach in several schools such as Howard High School, Dalewood Middle School, CSAS, Brainerd High, and Alton Park Junior High School. Coach also served as the Director of Drug Education and Athletics for the public school system and ultimately returned to his alma mater as a principal. His ministry and devotion to Jesus Christ extended beyond the church walls through involvement with organizations like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bible in the Schools, and various churches. During this time Coach authored his first book Crisis in Urban America, a book that explored critical issues faced by inner-city communities. Living his example of lifelong learning, Coach obtained an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Trevecca Nazarene University in 1992.
After 17 years as an educator in the public school system, Coach answered his call to servant leadership and full-time ministry as the Executive Director at the Bethlehem Center. He used his vision and passion for youth and family development by leading transformative programming for spiritual, academic, personal, and professional enrichment. Within that assignment he continued his pastoral service at Bethlehem-Wiley UMC, as well as co-founded Bethlehem Community Development Credit Union, which was the first of its kind to be chartered in the state of Tennessee. He was also instrumental in launching community enrichment programs like V-Team, the Bethlehem Resource Center in the Brainerd community, and LAUNCH Chattanooga. In April 2013, Coach was appointed by Mayor Andy Berke to lead the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Youth and Family Development, as its administrator. He used his influence to elevate the platform that all children and families deserve to thrive. After serving eight years in the Berke administration he retired for the final time but continued to use his voice, vision, and victory for the game of life. Coach continued his unwavering devotion to God’s plan for his life through radio and podcast media, declaring the Word of God, involvement in The Mary Walker Foundation, and authoring three more books, located on Amazon; Leading the Way Forward, Leadership Playbook, and 5 Strategies to Making Good Decisions, and soon to be published Recovering from a Bad Decision.
Coach loved eating good food, studying for a good sermon, giving a good pep talk (...because everybody needs one), watching/listening to a good sports game or movie, facilitating a good meeting to put his vision on paper, and listening to good music, especially Christian rap with his baby girl. He spent most of his waking hours thinking of ways to continue building God’s Kingdom while strengthening his family and community.
In the last few years Coach faced many health challenges but it never diminished his resilience or faith in God’s plan. He never complained and would often say, “It’s all for God’s glory.” In the last quarter of his earthly life, he embodied the true meaning of seeing beyond sight. When asked by a close friend, what does it feel like to live without physical sight, he replied, “They can take my sight, but they can never take my vision.” In the midst of his health challenges he launched another podcast, authored another book, and continued ministering. He often said, “As long as I can think and talk, I will continue spreading the goodness of God.” Supported by those who loved and cared for him deeply, he faced his journey with faith, vision, and strength. He fought the good fight to his very last breath before taking his eternal rest. Coach is greatly missed already but his nuggets of wisdom and legacy grounded in faith will live forever.
A life well lived on Earth, Coach is now completely healed in heaven with his parents and siblings, Charlie Jackson, Jr. (Carlis), Annie Ruth Jackson, and Milton Jackson.
He leaves to cherish his legacy, his wife Glinda “Candy” High Jennings; children, Lurone Jennings, II (Tamara), Dr. Luronda Jennings, and David Jennings, Sr.; beloved grandson, David Jennings, II, and granddaughters, Ania, Tymber, and Nadia; siblings, Jeraldine Jackson (Earl), Betty Jackson Powell (Eddie), and Tommy Lee Jennings; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, and devoted family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the forthcoming Lurone “Coach” Jennings, Sr. Scholarship Fund for athletes at The Howard School and Brainerd High School. Information will be published soon. You may also consider donating to the following organizations that were dear to Coach’s heart and his love for Jesus and education; Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bible in the Schools, The Mary Walker Foundation, and The Bethlehem Center. Giving was very important to Coach, so if you have another organization that is dear to your heart, the family encourages you to donate during this season.
A celebration of Coach’s faith driven, purpose-filled life will be held on Friday, Feb. 7. The public viewing will begin at 10 a.m. until the hour of service at 12 p.m. at Hope City Church at 7 N. Tuxedo Drive, 37411.
Interment will follow service at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, 423 622-9995.