Leon Jernigan, Jr.

July 19, 1926 - July 21, 2013
Leon Jernigan, Jr.

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Leon Jernigan, Jr., 87, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2013. He was born in Suffolk to Leon (Sr.) and Maude Jernigan, July 19, 1926.

He attended Fork Union Military Academy and graduated from Suffolk High School. He served in Germany during WWII and is a veteran of the U. S. Army. After an honorable discharge, he attended St. Alena College, a branch of the College of William and Mary. He was employed as a sales representative with Nabisco, Inc. from 1952 to 1988. Sales challenged him and he won many top sales awards.

He was very active in his church. Throughout the years, he led several Christian ministries: The Williamsburg Camp of The Gideons International, Sunday services at the Henrico Regional Jail East and the Williamsburg KOA Campground, Evangelism and Youth Ministries, and he served as a member of the nominating committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betsy Olive Jernigan; his son, Jack Jernigan; his daughter, Susan Jack and her husband, John; three grandchildren, Annie and Hunter Jernigan and Caroline Jack; four step-grandchildren, T.J., Ben, Emily and Molly Jack. He is also survived by six cousins; Marion Beasley, Joyce Bennett, Jack Brock, Marie Haas, George Jernigan and Elizabeth Sauls; two sisters-in-law, Frances Mitchiner and Julia Shearon, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm Saturday July 27, 2013 at Smith Memorial Baptist Church, Williamsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, Williamsburg Camp, PO Box 6813, Williamsburg, VA 23188, www.gideons.org or The Williamsburg Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 213 McLaws Cir. Williamsburg, VA 23185 www.alz.org.


Memorial

Saturday, July 27, 2013
12:00 AM

Smith Memorial Baptist Church - Directions
Richmond Road
Williamsburg, VA

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  • July 28, 2013
    Rodney Giese says:
    I am very sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with your family.

  • July 25, 2013
    Rob Moody says:
    I shall miss Leon and I send my love and sympathy to the family. I am in Mexico until late Sept or I would be there in Williamsburg, Prayers always

  • July 23, 2013
    J Edward Campbell says:
    Jack and family, I am sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  • July 24, 2013
    Susan Lawson says:
    Jack, My heart and prayers to you and yours.

  • July 27, 2013
    Chuck (C.A.) Henry says:
    Leon had the gift to work with teenagers. Not an easy task much less to do with gusto and a smile. Whether you had been in the church since the nursery, came along with a friend or forced to come by a parent, Leon made every single individual feel welcome, appreciated and valued. There was never judgment, simply love. Some were troubled, some withdrawn and some, like myself, were high maintenance. Each soul mattered. He served as a big brother, spiritual father and mentor. I still remember when we went to hear Bob Harrington, the Chaplin of Bourbon St, speak in a Crusade at the Hampton Roads Coliseum around 1970. That was one of many catalysts that energized his desire to grow spiritually and in service. Leon was on fire to grow in knowledge, wisdom and grace. Leon ës passion was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. He was self-motivated to witness and welcomed all opportunities to share his faith. He was bold yet effervescent with a magnetic effect. There wasnít a time or place when Leon would have passed up the opportunity to at the very least, plant a seed of kindness. To Betsy, Jack & Susan, Thank you for sharing your husband and dad with a multitude of teens. I spent countless happy hours in your kitchen and I was always welcomed as if I was a family member. You never turned anyone away. There were many unseen sacrifices by you that were never noticed yet allowed Leon, well, to be Leon. It wasnít by choice on your part but it was with grace, love and smiles that you adapted to whatever came your way. You were the support team that helped Leon make it happen. We celebrate the life of Leon Jernigan, a man of faith, family and laughter. He touched the hearts strings and funny bones to many that will always keep him in their hearts with deep affection.