Chester H. Jernigan

2012 following a brief illness. Rev. Jernigan was born in Brewton, AL on

October 26, 1930, the son of James William Jernigan, Jr. and Elizabeth

Cobb Jernigan. He is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Nelda

Helton Jernigan originally from Atmore, AL; daughter, Rev. June Jernigan

and grandson, Jonathan Nixon of Montgomery, AL; and son, Martin (Mary)

Jernigan, PhD and grandchildren, Jay, Clare and Grace Jernigan of Ringoes,

NJ. He is survived by his brother, William (Doris) Jernigan of Hartselle, AL, as well

as their children, Rosemarie (Don) Vaughn of Vinemont, AL and Laura (Larry) Hauth

of Burlington, KS and several nieces and nephews.Rev. Jernigan is a graduate of

T.R. Miller High School, Brewton, AL; Howard College (now Samford University),

Birmingham; Troy University, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He received

a Doctorate of Divinity from Judson College in recognition of his pastoral and denominational

leadership.Rev. Jernigan has been a pastor of Southern Baptist churches since he was

17 years old and only recently fully retired from preaching at the age of

80. Over the course of his 63 years of ministry, he served the following

churches: Pollard (AL) Baptist Church; Robinsonville Baptist Church

(Atmore, AL); Huxford (AL) Baptist Church; Gonzalez (FL) Baptist Church;

First Baptist Church Frisco City, AL; First Baptist Church Abbeville, AL;

and Forest Park Baptist Church (Montgomery, AL), where he served over 22

years. Rev. Jernigan then served as Vice President for Development for

The Baptist Foundation of Alabama. His final full-time ministry was as

Director of Development for the First Baptist Church Foundation, Montgomery.

He continued serving as interim pastor of several churches when at age 80 his

doctor advised him to fully retire. His denominational work, civic affiliations, and

honors are too many to list in detail. However, his passion was for the local church

leading out in mission to the community.Visitation will be Monday, July 23 from

5:00-7:00 pm at Leak Memory Chapel. His celebration service will be held at First

Baptist Church, Montgomery on Tuesday, July 24, at 11:00 am with burial at Alabama

Heritage Cemetery following the service. Memorial gifts can be made to the Dr. Chester

Jernigan Scholarship Fund for deserving college students (First Baptist Church, 305 S.

Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104) or to the Ministerial Education Fund for the training

of United Methodist pastors (AWFUMC, 100 Interstate Park Drive, Suite 106, Montgomery, AL

36109). Condolences may be made at www.leak-mc.com