John C. Stennis
John C. Stennis United States Senator from Mississippi In office November 17, 1947 – January 3, 1989 Preceded by Theodore Bilbo Succeeded by Trent Lott President pro tempore of the United States Senate In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1989 Deputy George J. Mitchell Preceded by Strom Thurmond Succeeded by Robert Byrd Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services In office January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1981 Preceded by Richard Russell Succeeded by John Tower Personal details Born John Cornelius Stennis (1901-08-03)August 3, 1901 Kemper County, Mississippi, U.S. Died April 23, 1995(1995-04-23) (aged 93) Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. Political party Democratic Spouse(s) Coy Hines Children John Hampton Stennis Margaret Jane Stennis Womble Alma mater Mississippi A&M University University of Virginia Profession Politician, Lawyer Religion Presbyterian Stennis (left) visited the Marshall Space Flight Center in mid-November 1967, where he was greeted at the Redstone Airfield by Center Director Dr. Wernher von Braun. John Cornelius Stennis (August 3, 1901 – April 23, 1995) was a U.S. Senator from the state of Mississippi. He was a Democrat who served in the Senate for over 41 years, becoming its most senior member for his last eight years. He retired from the Senate in 1989.