Eloise (Layne) Jernigan

Eloise Layne Jernigan, 94, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother departed for her heavenly home on May 26, 2024.

At the time of her death, she was residing at Rolling Ridge Assisted Living; which had been her home since 2017, and the staff and residents were her loving extended family.  Eloise was born in Altavista, Virginia on October 8, 1929, to Noel and Etta Layne; she was the oldest child with two siblings, Leon, and Shirley.

Eloise was married to Rev. Ralph Jernigan for 65 years, and they spent their lives together in Christian ministry, pastoring Pentecostal Holiness Churches around eastern North Carolina.  She served alongside her husband as a co-servant and first lady.  She fulfilled God’s call on her life to Christian service through various church ministries.  She loved her family and so enjoyed cooking and hosting for them; she was an awesome cook and we will always remember her famous pound cake and biscuits.

Eloise was a retired elementary school teacher who taught for over 20 years and had a passion and gift for helping children; she left an indelible mark on her students.  Eloise leaves behind the following to cherish forever her memory:  a daughter, Lynn J. Wood, and her husband, Ricky Wood; a son, Ralph Jernigan, Jr., and wife, Sara, 4 grandsons, Christopher (Kellie), Jonathan (Susan), Justin Wood (Randi), and Andrew Jernigan; one granddaughter, Miriam Spalding (Travis), as well as 13 great-grandchildren.

A service to commemorate the life of Eloise Jernigan will be held on May 29, 2024, at 2:00 pm, with an hour of family visitation beginning at 1:00 pm, at Clinton Community Church, 1901 Sunset Road, Clinton, NC. Burial will follow at Clinton Cemetery.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the AMAZING staff at Rolling Ridge Assisted Living for they have treated our mom and us, as her family, like royalty and we are forever grateful!

We also would like to express our appreciation to Pruitt Hospice of Fayetteville, NC for the excellent care and guidance they gave our mom and for the love they showed us!

Both sets of caregivers have truly been the hands and feet of Jesus!

Eloise will be profoundly missed, but we will remember her with a smile, her witty sense of humor, her feistiness, and her loving spirit which will continue to guide all of us who loved her so much!

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Jernigan Family.

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