BAY MINETTE – Elder Howard Jernigan, 81, born in Robinsonville and a resident of Bay Minette died Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 at William F. Green State Veterans Home.

Ordained in 1962, Mr. Jernigan pastured Primitive Baptist Churches in Alabama and Texas for 50 years. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served with the U.S. Army

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Melvin Odell Jernigan and Edward Bruce Jernigan.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Adams Jernigan of Bay Minette; five children, William Earl Jernigan of Sampson, Ralph Edward (Terri) Jernigan of Mobile, Rebecca Blankenship of Mobile, Charles Harold (Kathy) Jernigan of Birmingham and Raymond George Jernigan of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Mary Eloise (Sid) Bowers of Austin, Texas and Melba Estelle (Vernon) Byrd of Theodore; 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 at Springhill Primitive Baptist Church in Flomaton with Elder Bobby Willis and Elder Gene Freeland officiating. Burial followed at Springhill Primitive Baptist Cemetery.

The family received friends from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Norris Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Randall Jernigan, Bruce Jernigan, Matthew Jernigan, Randy Jernigan, James Currier, Michael Byrd and Chris Byrd.

Honorary pallbearers were the Elders of the Antioch Association.

Funeral arrangements were by Norris Funeral Home of Bay Minette.