Joan Jernigan

Joan Marie Jernigan, 76 of Silver Point, passed away at her home with family by her bedside on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Joan had a blessed life. She was a caring person and made a lasting impact on so many people’s lives.

She was born on January 30, 1948. She was the fifth of six children born to Walter Knowlton and Lucille Cronk Looker. Joan grew up in Saginaw, Michigan.

On July 22, 1967, Joan married Robert Henry Jernigan, her high school sweetheart. Last year they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

Joan was a devoted wife and mother. Her greatest love was her grandchildren. She said that if she knew how wonderful being a grandmother was, she would have had more children.

She loved nature. Orphaned animals would be brought to her to be cared for, including groundhogs and skunks. Cross country drives, camping and fishing were some of her favorite pastimes.

Joan was very creative. Her talents ranged from quilting to candy making and everything in between. She insisted that all her children learn to sew and to cook. Some of their fondest memories were of making things with Mom.

Joan was a devoted homemaker. Her favorite things were genealogy, nature, quilting and playing games with her grandchildren. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Joan had a love of genealogy and worked as a family history consultant for many years in the area Family History Center.

Joan had a strong testimony in her Savior Jesus Christ. She served in many church callings throughout her life. Her willingness to serve others is a testament of her devotion to God. In her final days she wanted to make sure she had a current Temple Recommend. Bishop Heap and President Day made home visits to ensure that Joan would feel that she was properly prepared to meet the Lord.

Joan’s final message to us all I quote from her, “I won’t write my eulogy, you can do that. I love you all so much; you all have brought such joy in my life. My life has been so full that I can’t express it with words. Again, I love you all so much and I’m so sorry I had to leave so soon, I wasn’t done living……Mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.”

Today we have been referring to Joan in the past tense, Joan was, Joan had. She said she wasn’t done living, well we know that she is not done living; she has left mortality and is serving the Lord in the next realm. Joan is part of an eternal family through her temple covenants and we know that she has just gone ahead to get the house ready for her family.

The funeral service will be held 11:00-12:00 on Monday, May 6, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 981 S. Walnut Avenue in Cookeville. Closed casket visitation will be from 10:00-11:00am. Burial will follow the funeral at Smellage Memory Gardens in the Boma Community of Putnam County, TN.

Joan is survived by her husband Robert and children: Robin Katterman, Tonya Crenshaw and Adam Jernigan; 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; her brother James Knowlton and sister Ellen Collison.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Lucille Knowlton; and her brothers Donald and Martin Knowlton and her sister Pamela Ashcraft.

Flowers to be sent to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931)858-2134. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.