LESSIE D. JERNIGAN
April 15, 1914-April 14, 2013
NEW YORK -- Mrs. Lessie Jernigan died April 14, 2013, in New York.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Hamilton Funeral Chapel, 423 S. James St., Goldsboro. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Martin Luther King Boulevard.
A public viewing will be held Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Lessie Durante Jernigan was born in Goldsboro, N.C., April 15, 1914, to the late Ellis Burris and Joe Durante.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lucius Jernigan; a brother, Clifton "Nick" Durante; a beloved son, Matthew "Punky" Jernigan; and a grandchild, Michael Jernigan.
Lessie received her high school diploma from Dillard High School in Goldsboro, N.C. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Fayetteville State Teacher's College in 1945. She did further study at Columbia Teacher's College in New York, where she earned a master's degree in education in 1947. She also did further study toward a doctoral degree at Columbia University in New York.
Lessie used her education skills as a teacher in High Point, N.C., and in the state of New Jersey.
She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Lessie traveled throughout the United States and several countries abroad.
Lessie was a devoted Christian, and attended church all of her life in Goldsboro and Brooklyn, N.Y., until her health declined.
Lessie is survived by two grandchildren, Wayne Jernigan and Kim Jernigan.
The remaining survivors of her immediate family are her great-grandchildren, Sade Jernigan, Anise Jernigan, Sarashina Jernigan, Imani Jernigan, Adam Nicks, Khareem Jernigan, and a host of Durante nieces and friends.
Lessie spent the last few years of her wonderful life at Spring Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Hamilton Funeral Chapel is serving the family.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 20, 2013 1:49 PM