MARTHA NELL KIRKLAND JERNIGAN

Martha Nell Kirkland Jernigan, age 88, of Donalsonville, GA passed away Tuesday morning, July 25, 2023, at Seminole Manor Nursing Home in Donalsonville.

Funeral services for Mrs. Jernigan will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Union Baptist Church with Dr. Calvin Arnold and Bro. Greg Kirkland officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Woodie Kirkland, Jay Kirkland, B.J. Josey, Kalvin Kirkland, Mack Lane and Charles Ryan serving as active pallbearers.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 2:00 PM at the church.

Mrs. Jernigan was born Sept. 13, 1934, in Donalsonville, GA to Woodrow and Martha Bush Kirkland.  She was a 1952 graduate of Miller County High School, the first class to attend school through 12 grades.  She worked as a bookkeeper for Cook Drug Co./Farm and Ranch for 30 years.  After retiring as a bookkeeper, she was the activities director for Miller Nursing Home for 15 years.  She married Harmon Jernigan March 13, 1999.  Mrs. Martha Nell enjoyed gardening and church gatherings. She was a member of Union Baptist Church. 

She leaves to cherish her memory, her siblings, Charles A. Kirkland, Sr. (Jackie Fountain) of Ray City, GA and Karen A. Josey (Joel) of Colquitt, GA; her sons, Todd Jernigan (Jan) of Warner Robins, GA and Tony Jernigan of Port St. Lucie, FL; and her sisters-in-love, Bessie Sirman of Jacksonville, FL, Sue Reeves of Middleburg, FL, Delores Kirkland of Colquitt, GA, Brenda Kirkland of Martinez, GA, and Sadie Kirkland of Colquitt, GA.  She is also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Martha Nell helped raise most of her nieces and nephews and was affectionately called, “Mother Nell”. 

Mrs. Jernigan was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Martha Bush Kirkland; her husband, Harmon Jernigan; and three brothers, Byron W. Kirkland, W. Haward Kirkland, and John B. Kirkland.