Jacqueline Elizabeth “Jackie” Watt Jernigan, 73, of Patterson, passed away Wednesday morning, March 19, 2025, at her residence.

Born in Detroit, MI April 21, 1951, she 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. She also worked for Wal-Mart in Alabama as well as in Waycross and ran the commissary for the Tennessee Correct ional Academy for many years while living in Tennessee. She was also the owner of her own business, Jackie’s Crafts, which she did for many years and thoroughly enjoyed. In addition to her crafts, she 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. She was a member of St. Johns Community Church where her husband, the Rev. Robert “Bob” Jernigan, is pastor.

She was a daughter of the late Jerome T. and Irene Rahm Watt. She 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; by her brother, Jerome D. Watt; two sisters-in-law, Linda Parham and Debra Young and a brother-in-law, Joe Jernigan.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, the Rev. Robert Leon “Bob” Jernigan of Patterson; two sons, Robert L. Jernigan III (Christy Lee), Hoboken and Brandon (Angela) Jernigan, Blackshear; a sonin- law, Donald Mathy, Manchester; two sisters, Janice Juell, Phoenix, AZ and Joyce (Richard) Hoobler, Dallas; 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 greatgrandchildren, Waylon Burkett, Annabeth Burkett, Wyatt Burkett and Briar Anderson and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 24, from the St. Johns Community Church with the Rev. Bob Jernigan officiating.

Interment followed 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 family would like to thank the staff of Amedisys Home Health and Hospice Satilla for their love and care of Mrs. Jackie during her 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.