Jennings Elliott Haney, Jr. died peacefully in his home at Brightview Senior Living in Canton, Massachusetts on Monday January 5, 2026. Elliott had recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his family in November. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Jean Dycus Haney, who passed in 2020.
Elliott was the son of the late Jennings Elliott Haney, Sr. and Miriam Dobbins Haney of Spindale, North Carolina. He grew up in the Rutherfordton-Spindale area, graduating from Rutherford Spindale High School in 1954. He attended Davidson College, served 4 years in the Air Force as a communications specialist (1957-1961), and graduated from Limestone College with a degree in Economics in 1965. Elliott’s career spanned accounting, managerial roles, and entrepreneurship across industrial and technology companies. He started two companies and served as CEO of a third. His career took him and his family to the Carolinas, Virginia, and Kentucky, where he and Jean raised their sons, Jennings Elliott (“JayE”) Haney III (deceased) and Timothy Daniel Haney.
Elliott and Jean spent the latter part of his career and their early retirement years in Lake Wylie, SC, where they lived for 18 years. They moved to Massachusetts in 2018 to be closer to family after Jean developed dementia and needed constant care. Elliott flourished at Brightview Senior Living, putting his usual energy and organizational skills to work. He served as President of the Resident Council for 3 years, served on the Dining and Hospitality committees, and also managed the Resident Holiday Fund, which gathers significant funds for employee and caregiver holiday gifts.
Elliott valued spending time with his family, whether it was with his son’s family in New England, his granddaughters in the Southeast, or his sister and his numerous nieces and nephews in the Carolinas. He was an avid reader, lover of classical music, and enjoyed the occasional whiskey.
Elliott is survived by his sister Miriam Kilpatrick (“Pat”) Moss, his son Tim and daughter-in-law Michelle Haney, their children Alexander and Alyssa Haney, and JayE’s daughters and Andrea (Bradley) Leonard and Carmen Haney.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday January 10, 2026 at Crowe’s Funeral Home, Rutherfordton, NC at noon with Dr. Don Scofield officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.crowemortuary.com. Crowe’s Mortuary is helping the family of Elliott Haney.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to:
Resident Holiday Fund
Brightview Senior Living
Attn: Richard Tavares
125 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 20201