JERNIGAN, ROBERT J.
Reverend Robert Jesse Jernigan, Sr., age 83, of Wilmington, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 23, 2002, at Mariner Health Care Center.
He was born in Tattnal County, GA, on August 3, 1919, the son of the late Thomas J. and Fannie Mae Haire Jernigan, also was preceded in death by two sisters, Sallie McDonald and Eunice Jernigan; three brothers, Roger Jernigan, Herschell Jernigan, and Joe Jernigan; a grandson, Little Charlie Hubbard.
Reverend Jernigan was dedicated to his Lord and Savior for over twenty years in the ministry. He loved to tell about the Lord in many, many ways, by sharing the gospel, hospital visits, radio and telephone ministry, as well as the Foreign Mission Fields and was pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church for twenty-one years. He was a member of Greenfield Baptist Church and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps for over twenty years, serving in World War II in Japan, a member of the “Edson Raiders” during the War and received the Purple Heart.
Surviving are his loving wife, and soul mate for over fifty-nine years, Kate Porter Jernigan of the home; his children, Robert Jesse Jernigan, Jr. and wife Ysabel of Santa Rosa, CA, Marlene Eaton and husband Larry of Wilmington, NC, Bailey “Dave” Jernigan and wife Marissa of Buckhannon, WV, Libby Jernigan and partner Marilyn Mangum of Charlotte, NC, and Mary Lee Hubbard and husband Tony of Burgaw, NC; three sisters, Lessie Mae Durrance, Sadie Mills, both of Reidsville, GA, and Grace Wright of Jackson, SC; ten grandchildren, Melanie Jernigan, Mark Eaton, Larry Clewis, Jr., Wesley Clewis, Brandon Humphrey, Katie Hubbard, Jessica Hubbard, Jacob Hubbard, Uriah Jernigan and Bailey Levi Jernigan; five great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and many other family members.
A celebration of Reverend Jernigan’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2002, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service Oleander Chapel by Reverend Dan Bennett and Father Mark Johnson. Interment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers in honor of Reverend Jernigan.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, November 25, 2002, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service Oleander Chapel and other times at their residence.
Memorials may be made to the Greenfield Baptist Church, 1401 S. 3rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to the charity of one’s choice in memory of Reverend Jernigan.
The family would like to say thanks to all that cared for Reverend Jernigan during his illness.
“Verily, Verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth in him that sent me, have everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24