PATTERSON — Mrs. Jacqueline Elizabeth “Jackie” Watt Jernigan, 73 of Patterson, passed away Wednesday morning, March 19, 2025, at her residence.
Born April 21, 1951 in Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Jernigan had the privilege to live in many cities and states over the years due to her husband’s career before settling back in Pierce County in 2015 from Tennessee.
She was a cosmetologist for many years while her children were young. Mrs. Jernigan also worked for Wal-Mart in Alabama as well as in Waycross and ran the commissary for the Tennessee Correctional Academy for many years while living in Tennessee.
Mrs. Jernigan also owned Jackie’s Crafts, which she did for many years and thoroughly enjoyed. In addition to her crafts, Mrs. Jernigan loved taking care of flowers and being active in every community she had been a part of over the years. She was an excellent homemaker and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Mrs. Jernigan was a member of St. Johns Community Church where her husband, Rev. Robert “Bob” Jernigan, was pastor.
She was a daughter of the late Jerome T. and Irene Rahm Watt. Mrs. Jernigan was also preceded in death by her daughter, Josette “JoJo” Irene Jernigan Mathy; a daughter-in-law, Johnna Jernigan; four sisters, Janet Smith, Judith Watt, Judith Caleca and Jeraldine Hunt; her brother, Jerome D. Watt; two sisters-in-law, Linda Parham and Debra Young; and a brother-inlaw, Joe Jernigan.
Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Rev. Robert Leon “Bob” Jernigan of Patterson; two sons, Robert L. Jernigan III (Christy Lee) of Hoboken and Brandon (Angela) Jernigan of Blackshear; a son-in-law, Donald Mathy of Manchester; two sisters, Janice Juell of Phoenix, Ariz., and Joyce (Richard) Hoobler of Dallas, Ga.; 10 grandchildren, Alexander Jernigan, Ashton Jernigan, Abigail Burkett, Micah Jernigan (Katie Kratzer), Joseph Grinstead, Avery (Laney) Jernigan, Austin (Makayla) Jernigan; Matthew Jernigan, Kameron (Julia) Anderson and Kenyon (Jade) Anderson; four great grandchildren, Waylon Burkett, Annabeth Burkett, Wyatt Burkett and Briar Anderson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral services for Mrs. Jernigan were held Monday, March 24, 2025 from the St. Johns Community Church with Rev. Bob Jernigan officiating.
Interment will be in the St. Johns Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Alex Jernigan, Avery Jernigan, Austin Jernigan, Michah Jernigan, Kameron Anderson and Kenyon Anderson.
Members of St. Johns Community Church served as honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to St. Johns Community Church, 4363 St. Johns Church Road, Blackshear, GA 31516.
The Jernigan family would like to thank the staff of Amedisys Home Health and Hospice Satilla for their love and care during Mrs. Jernigan’s illness and passing. May God bless you all.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear was in charge of arrangements.
