Johnny Allen Jernigan, Sr.: Whiteville
1960 – 2023
Johnny Allen Jernigan, Sr. of Whiteville died on Sunday, Oct. 29, in the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 63.
He was born July 24, 1960, in Robeson County to Paul Allen Jernigan and Evelyn Loraine Atkinson Jernigan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Jernigan Cruz.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Brenda Nealy Jernigan of the home; children April Davis and her husband Eugene of Whiteville, Johnny Jernigan and his wife Tana of Jacksonville, and Donny A. Jernigan of Raleigh; granddaughters Alyssa Davis and Emma Davis of Whiteville, who were both the apple of their Papa’s eye; a sister, Peggy Long and her husband Coy of Whiteville; one brother, Timmy Jernigan and his wife Laura of Hickory; and many nieces and nephews.
Johnny was the definition of a hard-worker, and was known to many as his CB handle, “Flash.” He believed that if a man was able to work then that is what he is supposed to do. He made his career of over 40 years as a truck driver both local and long-distance, having travelled all over the United States hauling the products that are needed to make the world go ‘round. Johnny loved being in and around 18 wheelers, often joking that trucking was his first true love.
A man with a big heart, Johnny loved his family and provided for them the best way he could. He cherished the time that he spent with his family, especially taking trips to the mountains and the beach. Johnny attended and was a member of Mt. Calvary Original Free Will Baptist Church in Clarkton. He loved his church, the pastor and the members.
Visitation was planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church, 68 Mount Calvary Road, Clarkton.
Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Jimmy McNeill, burial following in the church cemetery.
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