Sidney Lee "Sid" Jennings, of Cary, NC passed away on August 18, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born in Austinville, VA on May 2, 1942, he joined the US Navy out of high school and proudly served his country for several years, most notably on the destroyer USS Beatty during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. After leaving the Navy in 1963, Sid returned to the mountains of southwestern Virginia where he would marry the love of his life, Gloria Jean Nester. They married in 1964 and were together 58 years until her passing in 2022. After a brief stint with the NC Dept of Corrections, Sid joined the NC State Highway Patrol in 1966 where he would have a long and distinguished career, rising through the ranks from Trooper to Colonel and commander in 1992. Duty stations covered mostly western NC until his promotion to Major and subsequent move to Raleigh. He would say many times that working for the Patrol was the greatest job in the world, because once you got in that patrol car you became your own boss, you never had the same day twice, and you got to interact with people everyday.

After retiring from the NCSHP in 1993, Sid, along with his brother Montie, began their second careers as Christmas tree farmers. They operated Jennings Christmas Trees for the next 25 years, growing Fraser firs on their grandparents' farm where they had spent so much time as kids. In addition to the farm, Sid and Montie operated a successful retail tree lot at the State Farmer's Market in Raleigh for over 20 years. Sid loved working on the tree lot as he was outgoing and gregarious with an excellent gift of gab.  He always had others listening and laughing to his stories.

Sid loved to play golf, fish, cook barbeque and especially enjoyed travelling with Gloria around the country. Annual Navy reunions gave an excuse to drive back roads, see sites and visit small town America.  They took many trips, including visiting South Dakota and Montana and driving cross country to Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks along with his brother Glen and his wife Jean.

Sid was a doting father to his daughter, Jennifer, and Papa to granddaughter, Sydney Leigh. He always had a smile and bear hug for both whenever he saw them. He was very proud of his family, and they were very proud of him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldridge and Lillian Jennings; his wife, Gloria Nester Jennings; sister Elsie Mae Ryan; brother Garland Jennings and nephews Scott and Mark Ryan.

Sid is survived by his daughter Jennifer Hall, her husband Chuck and granddaughter Sydney Hall, all of Durham, NC; brothers and sisters-in-laws Montie and Carolyn Jennings of Bastian, VA and Glen and Jean Jennings of Hillsville, VA; along with a loving host of nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.

The Funeral service with NC Highway Patrol Honors will be Monday, August 26, 2024, at 2 pm at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel with Minister Steve Canup officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday from 12 pm to 2 pm at the funeral home prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.