Dr. James Dennis Sr.

Dr. James Dennis Sr. was born on October 8, 1927, to John James and Margaret Lucille Jones Dennis in Kansas City, Missouri. He was one of six children. He would grow up to be a man of God’s own heart, a way of life instilled in him by his parents. He would also become a man dedicated to both the pursuit of knowledge and his family and children.


He met Bro. Willie Brown while stationed in the Army in Germany. Bro. Brown would not only baptize Dr. Dennis but would persuade him to come to Nashville where he met the love of his life, Thelma Marie Knight. They met in January 1949, he proposed in April and they were married in June 1949. From this union came six children: Brenda, James Jr., Roger, Lawrence, Denise, and Gregory.


He would go on to get his BA degree in Theology and Biblical Languages from Pepperdine University, Master’s in History from Tennessee State University, and his PhD in Political Science from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University along with post graduate work at their School of Divinity. Not only was he a pursuer of knowledge, but he would go on to become both a teacher and a certified principal in the Metro Nashville Public School system. His position at Nashville Christian Institute as the principal for three years, was one he held very dearly.


For many years James and Thelma Dennis were the owners of Dennis Funeral Home.


Dr. Dennis would go on to become minister of various churches including 26th St. in Tampa, FL, Burn Springs in Columbia, TN, and Whites Creek Pk. in Nashville, TN. The congregation that garnered the greatest affection was 15th Ave. in Nashville, TN where he would spend 37 years preaching.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Thelma, sons James Jr., Roger; parents John and Margret; brothers; Leroy, Clifford; sisters Arletha, Leola.


He is dearly loved, missed and survived by; children, Brenda Ewin (Tony), Lawrence Dennis, Denise Webster, Gregory Dennis (Kristie); caring sister, Vivian Ewell, sister-in-law; Jean Dennis, daughter-in-law, Fran Dennis; grandchildren; Lynnette “Ree-Ree” Davis (Clevona), Renee Dennis, Jamie Hancock (Quincy), Nicole, Charles, and Anthony Moore, Patrice Kendrick (Namayo), James B. Dennis (Ruby) Memphis, TN, Julian Webster (Selina – Fiancée), Lawrence Dennis Memphis, TN, Brianna Ewin, Leah and Rachel Webster, Rinda, Cara and Julia Dennis; great grandchildren; Jordon Hancock, Arlee Dennis, Amanda Tripp (Malik), Norman Allen, Jr. (Ashley), Anissa Allen, Christian Keye, Jordon Moore, Alvin and Averie Kendrick, Arianna and August Dennis, great-great grandchildren; Kennedee Dennis and Furious Whittaker, Levi and Roman Allen, Malani and Marlei Tripp, niece; Margret Riley Kansas City, MO. devoted foster nieces Gwen Cummings (Dr. Clint), Laura Ransom; many other relatives, devoted friends and 15th Ave. Church of Christ.


ISAIAH 40:31
“They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not grow tired, they will walk and not grow weary.”