James Oakley "Jackie" Tennyson
April 1, 1939 ~ December 3, 2016
James Oakley Tennyson (Jackie), a life-long resident of Chaptico, MD, passed away on December 3, 2016 at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Jackie was born on April 1, 1939 to Raymond and Thelma Tennyson. With nine siblings, Jackie grew up in the small town of Chaptico learning how to love and provide for a large family. Marrying young and fathering 6 children of his own, he quickly put that knowledge to good use. Throughout his life, Jackie enjoyed hunting, playing pitch, watching horse races, NASCAR, baseball, watching the Redskins win, and western movies. Mostly, though, Jackie enjoyed spending time with his large, loving family especially during the Thursday night dinners he and his wife, Monkey, hosted for them each week. Jackie and his wife owned and operated Chaptico Market for nearly 50 years. He was known for speaking to each customer as though they were a friend and, more often than not, they became exactly that. He was a treasure to his community, his friends, and his family. He had a huge heart and a larger-than-life personality and will be greatly missed by all.
Jackie leaves behind his adoring wife of 58 years, Mary Virginia Wood Tennyson (Monkey). He also leaves his children, Jamie, Robbie (Dawn), Ronnie (Gwen), Donnie (Kathy), Greg (Lisa) and a son-in-law, Billy Schoenbauer. He leaves behind several siblings Mary (Joyce) Green, Catherine (Kitty) Bowling, Dorothy (Dot) Guy, Mary (Bert) Bowling, and Francis (Bo) Tennyson. He leaves behind 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren....a legacy that made him proud. Many of his adored family members have gone before him in death. He joins his daughter, Deborah Schoenbauer and his parents, Raymond Tennyson Sr. and Thelma Tippett Tennyson. He is also preceded in death by his siblings, Raymond Tennyson Jr., Betty Ann Tennyson, Jean Langley, and Robert (Bobby) Tennyson.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 from 5:00pm-8:00pm with prayers being recited at 7:00pm at Mattingly Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. 41590 Fenwick St., Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 10:00am by Father Charles Gallagher at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 29119 Point Lookout Rd., Morganza, MD 20660. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Queen of Peace Cemetery, 38888 Dr. Johnson Rd., Mechanicsville, MD 20659. Friends are invited to join the family in celebrating Jackie's life after the graveside services at Bowles Farm, 22880 Budd's Creek Rd., Clements, MD 20624. The pallbearers are Jackie's 7 grandsons, Gary Tennyson, Jimmy Tennyson, Greg Tennyson, Brad Tennyson, Ben Tennyson, RJ Tennyson, Ryan Klock , and long-time family friend, John Keenan. Honorary pallbearers will be Jackie's 12 grand-daughters.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the wonderful staff at St. Mary's Hospital for serving their patriarch in his most vulnerable hours and also to all the dear friends who have shown so much support over the past several days. The care and compassion shown to Jackie and his family will never be forgotten. Condolences to the family may be made at mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by Mattingly-Gardiner Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mechanicsville Rescue Squad or Hospice of St. Mary's.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I was so sad to hear of Jackie’s passing. know he is at peace. My prayers are with the whole family. he will be surely missed by many. love to the whole family.
To the Tennyson Family I am so sorry for the loss of Jackie Tennyson AKA (POP). He will live on in the rest of the family in memories and stories to tell. I am Proud to call him pop even though he isn’t blood related he treated me as if I was and I love him for that he was a wonderful man and I will never forget the good times I had with him and monkey and rest of family. I enjoyed working for Tennysons for 10 yrs and helping do those stuff hams every year. My kids adored you and you will be missed. Love you and Monkey if you need anything call me anytime. Again I am sry we lost an amazing man.
When God calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. May many happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. Jackie was a kind and caring man and loved by many, this is so evident by the beautiful and loving wife and family that he has left behind. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
My heart is broken to hear of Mr. T’s passing. I feel very blessed to have worked with Mr&Mrs. Tennyson. He was the heart of Chaptico Market. I have great memories of him and always will be great full to have worked with such a incredible man and family. I will miss his words “Hello sugar”
Chaptico has lost a wonderful caring man. He will be truly missed. RIP Mr.T
Prayers to the entire family during this difficult time.
To the Tennyson Family I am so sorry for the loss of Jackie !!
To Monkey & Family,
Being around Jackie was so much fun. He was funny, smart and very wise. Most of all he was FEARLESS. He had a heart of gold. I will truly miss him, but have lots of memories to carry with me. God bless you all.
Gary Hill
Chaptico, MD.
Jamie
I was saddened to hear of your Father’s passing. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers to the Tennyson family in your time of sorrow.
To the Tennyson Family,
We are sadden to hear of Jack’s passing.
He was always the last face we would see before leaving St. Mary’s County, going south and the first face to greet us upon our return.
Rest in Peace, Friend. You will be missed greatly.
Victor and Gertrude Thomas (Leonardtown)
Monkey & family ,
We are deadly saddened to hear of Jackies passing . He was a kind hearted man and will be greatly missed . R.I.P. Jackie!!
Monkey & family ,
Your in our thoughts and prayers. May Jackie rest in peace !! He was a kind hearted man and will be missed dearly .. Won’t be the same going in the store not seeing Jackie , kidding with him,seeing his smiling face … Look out Teddy Bear , Jackie’ coming to see you .. Old buddies ride again !!! R.I.P. Jackie …..
My family has know Mr.Jack since 1983 when we moved to Maddox. When my children were born they also came with us when going to Mr. Jack’s. He always called Caleb (little Pete) and called Katarina (sugar). Our family felt that Mr. Jack was part of our extended family.
My condolences and he will surely be missed by all.
Losing someone you love is like a sore the scab goes away but the scar is always there. God Bless
Pete, Terri(deceased), Katarina and Caleb (little Pete)
Tennyson Family, so sorry for your loss. I hope that our Lord brings you and your family the much needed comfort and peace during this sad time. My condolences to you and your family.
Monkey and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Such sad news to hear. Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish you healing and peace and that you are surrounded by much love. Best regards
Monkey and family, we are so sorry for your loss of Jackie. His suffering is over but your’s continues. May good memories give you the peace and comfort you will need in the days ahead.
To the Tennyson Family – we are so sorry for the loss of Jackie. Not only is it a great loss for your family, who loved him dearly, it is a great loss for our community and we will all miss him immensely. Wishing you all peace at this sad time.
Monkey & family, we are so sorry to hear of Jackie’s passing, He was such a likeable person and he will be missed by many. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am so sorry to hear of Jackie’s passing. He is at peace now so his family can have an inner peace.My heart goes out to all of the family. Monkey take care as I know you will. What a WONDERFUL family he leaves for you. Love Mary Jo
To the Tennyson Family,
Jackie has left so many memories behind with so many people, he’ll never be forgotten. I know you all have memories and that will get you thru this because I am sure each one will bring a laugh. So sorry for your loss. I hope his Fried chicken and stuffed ham recipes will continue to delight the people of St Mary’s. Condolences to everyone.
To the Tennyson Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Jackie was loved by many and will be missed by many. RIP Jackie
Jamie and family,
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. Please know that we are thinking about you during this tough time and are always here for you. We hope to see you again real soon.
Monkey and Family – I am so sorry to hear the passing of Jackie. He was a loving and caring man. May God give you the strength you need to get through this sad time. He will definitely be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
My childhood memories include a big chunk of Chaptico Market – Jackie always called me ‘Sugar’ (he called all the gals that but it always made me feel special)! The Market was the place to be after church and Jackie and ‘Ms. Tennyson’ (I just couldn’t call an adult lady ‘Monkey’) were both such a big part of my growing up years. Thank you both for being such wonderful, giving people – and I can see Jackie now, up there carrying on with my Mom, Aunt Cele and Uncle Boots, and all the rest of the gang!
All our Love to You, ‘Ms. Tennyson’and family
Betsy has many happy memories of Jackie while growing up in Chaptico. As adults we both know him as always having a smile on his face and a joke to tell. Our sincere condolences to Monkey and the entire Tennyson family.
Dear Monkey and all the family, especially Dot and Bill and family, we extend to you our sincerest sympathy. We assure you of our love, thoughts and prayers. May you all be comforted in knowing he will be greatly missed and that he is now reunited and resting in peace with his other family members who are already with the Lord and our beautiful Blessed Mother. If there is anything we can do in any way, please know that we are just a phone call away.
Jackie was such a friendly soul. He touched so much of my childhood always showing me love and compassion. I’d ride my pony down to the store just to see him and hear him laugh and pick at me. He used always give me a little bottle of Coke and he opened it because it had a pop top back then and a piece of candy and then he sent me out back to sit with my pony it was tied to the trees behind the store and he come back there and he check on me and he Josh around with me and make sure I was OK. And then he tell me to get my skinny rear end back home. He was such a sweet man and I know he will be dearly missed by everyone. My sincerest condolences to the family.
Tennyson Family, So sorry for your loss. We are wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.
To the Tennyson Family. We are sorry to hear that Your Loved one has passed. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
To Monkey and family, So sorry for your loss. Jackie was a kind, gentle man who will be missed by so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Monkey and family. We lost a great friend and will miss him. Monkey you know that when you share a business with your spouse it’s a special bond. Only those who choose to work together know the feeling. Only love can be the answer. I know it will be difficult but we will be there for you during this time and always.Our deepest sympathy. Walter and Betty