Mary Lou Jernigan

Mary Lou Jernigan, age 95, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024, very peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Mary Lou was born on December 25, 1928, in Okemah, Oklahoma, the second daughter of the late Cecilia Bonnefield Joyner and Fleetwood Boyd Joyner. At an early age her family moved to Blytheville, Arkansas, where she attended school and met her future husband, Freeman Jernigan. Mary Lou attended the University of Arkansas for one year and then she and Freeman got married on January 1, 1949. They were married for 54 years until his death in 2003. Together they had four children, Arthur “Skipper” Jernigan, Jr. (Judy); Jimmy Jernigan (Sharon); Lou Ellen McDonald (Bob) and Bobby Jernigan (Jerolyn). Mary Lou and Freeman were members of Northminster Baptist Church, having joined the church on the same day with two of their grandsons.

Her seven grandchildren affectionately referred to her as “Nannu.” They are Katie Freidrickson (Mark); Clayton Caden (Shannon); Justin Jernigan (Ann); Kristen Power (Logan); Jennifer Gross (Bubba); Guy Jernigan (Stephanie-fiancé); and Jay Jernigan (Kristen). This group has produced 11 great-grandchildren that Nannu loved and cherished dearly. Mary Lou is also survived by her sister, Cecilia Baker of Fayetteville Arkansas.

Mary Lou took great pride and supreme joy in raising her four children. She was ever present at all their activities, school programs, and games. Her three boys played baseball growing up and at one stretch she spent 18 straight summers at the ball parks on Lakeland Drive. We can’t remember that she ever missed a game including many Ole Miss football games. After the kids left the nest she became almost a full time golfer, playing first at Colonial Country Club and then at the Country Club of Jackson. Mary Lou and Freeman enjoyed many memorable golf trips to some of the great courses in America. Her first love was golf but she also enjoyed her involvement with the Delta Gamma Sorority, Daughters of the American Revolution, her Bridge Club, MeLady; and whatever the grandchildren were doing.

The family is deeply grateful to Doris Mack, who was her longtime caregiver, and also the staffs of Parkway Rehab and Nursing and Home Care Hospice, both of which treated her with so much loving attention, kindness and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice. Her funeral service will be held at Parkway Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway on Thursday, May 23, 2024, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to the time of the service at 12:30 p.m.

REST IN PEACE NANNU, YOU WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED AND LOVED.