John Robert "Clair" Fennell

John Robert “Clair” Fennell went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Clair was born on January 14, 1943, in Florence County. He was the son of the late Christian Edward Fennell and Lois Nettles Fennell and the widower of Joyce Dianne Parrott Fennell.

Clair was a faithful member of Little Star Free Will Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and led the children’s choir for nearly fifty years. He had a deep love for children and found great joy in leading the choir each Sunday morning. He is fondly remembered for bringing truckloads of children to Vacation Bible School each year. When his own children were young, he would drive his truck through the community, and anyone who wanted to go would climb in the back. To Clair, there was nothing more important than giving children the opportunity to know Christ.

Clair took great pride in his work. After working as a carpenter for several years, he decided to get his Residential Contractor’s License and went on to build dozens of homes throughout his career. He often spoke fondly of the homes he built and the families who lived in them.

Clair’s love for the Lord was evident in every aspect of his life. Anyone who met Clair quickly knew that he loved the Lord, the Lord loved him, and the Lord loved them too. He spoke freely of God’s love to everyone he met. In the days leading up to his passing, he was at peace and looked forward to being reunited with loved ones who had gone before him, including his wife, Joyce Dianne Parrott Fennell; his son, Troy Fennell; his great-grandson, Lyle Freeman; his parents, Christian Edward Fennell and Lois Nettles Fennell; his siblings, Bobby Fennell, Legrand Fennell, Donna Williams, and Homer Fennell; and his grandparents. He spoke of being ready to go home and recited a verse from one of his favorite songs, “I’m a Winner Either Way.”

Few things brought Clair greater happiness than being approached by someone he had once taken to Bible School or led in the choir as a child. One of his greatest joys was knowing he had made a difference in their lives.

Clair leaves behind three siblings, Ray Fennell (Dessie), Geneva Pickett, and Eunice Gause Owens; three daughters, Naomi Hanna (Kelvin), Vickie Coe (Brian), and Susan Poston (Van); fourteen grandchildren, Brent Poston (Nancy), Ryan Poston (Lisa), Elliot Poston (Lindsey), Troy Fennell II, Danielle Freeman (Bobby), Savanna Coker (Phillip), Slade Fennell, Zackary Cook (Nicky), Tessa Moore (Jessup), Linda Hyman, Kelsie Hanna (Carson), Karley Hanna (Trey), Koby Hanna, and Kammie Hanna; nineteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Saundra Bazen.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, Friday, March 6, 2026, at Little Star Free Will Baptist Church with funeral services to follow at 3:00 PM. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

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