Mr. Jake Crabtree Lennard, 93, passed away January 3, 2019.

Mr. Lennard was born on June 13, 1925, in Swiftown, MS. He graduated from Morgan City High School in 1942, and graduated from Mississippi State University. While at MSU he was a member of the football team. He worked for the State of Mississippi as a benefits investigator and had his own poultry business for many years. He was a member of American Legion Post #29, Elks Lodge # 854, North Greenwood Baptist Church and Greenwood Country Club Men's Golf Association. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Big Jake fought in World War II as part of the US Army's 32 ^nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and the 14 ^th Cavalry Group. He was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic service during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. At the time his troop was defending the Belgium town of Manhay from an attack by the German Second SS Panzer Division.

Mr. Lennard was preceded in death by his wife of sixty six years, Mary Sue Fant Lennard, and his parents, Hammie Dalton and Nellie Crabtree Lennard of Swiftown. He was also preceded in death by his beloved brothers, Eddie Lennard of New Orleans, LA, and H.D. Lennard of Greenwood, and sisters, Ethel Jane Windham of Terry, MS, Grace Rainey of Hammond, LA, and Dora Nell Fowler of Greenwood.

He is survived by his children, Dr. Jake Lennard and his wife Carlene of Amarillo, TX, Susan Smith and her husband Jim of Columbus, OH, and Jane Moss and her husband Randy of Greenwood. He will also be missed by his eight grandchildren, Brian Lennard and his wife Lauren of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, Adrienne Durand and her husband James of Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Luke Lennard and his wife Madeline of Richmond, VA, Chris Smith and his wife Mary of Greenwood, Katherine Smith and Kelly Smith of Columbus, OH, Dr. Jason Moss and his wife Heather of Lexington, KY, and Valerie Andrews and her husband Hardy of Hattiesburg, MS, and nine great grandchildren, Ashley and Dylan Durand of Los Angeles, CA, Brooke, Allie and Claire Lennard of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, Luke Jackson and Shepard Lee Lennard of Richmond, VA, Annette Morgan Smith of Greenwood, and Ophelia Jane Moss of Lexington, KY.

The funeral service will be held Monday, January 7, 2019 at 11:00 am at North Greenwood Baptist Church with visitation just prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am. The Reverend Jim Phillips will officiate. His grandsons will serve as his pallbearers along with Adam Fowler and Ronnie Sanders. Interment will follow in Itta Bena Cemetery with military rites performed by American Legion Post # 29.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Henry Flautt, Morgan Moore and all the staff of Indywood Glen for their constant love and care. In lieu of flowers his family wishes that donations be made to North Greenwood Baptist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.

Wilson and Knight Funeral Home is in charge. Online guest book may be signed at www.wilsonandknight.com