Blake Benjamin Jernigan

Blake Benjamin Jernigan, a resident of Hunter Road, Columbia, died Friday morning, Nov. 23, 2007, at his home. He was 78. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Ted Jernigan and Dr. Caron Jernigan officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery in Dothan. Full military rites will be conducted at the graveside. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the mortuary in Headland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice, 2855 Ross Clark Circle, Suite 110, Dothan, AL 36301, or to the American Cancer Society, 2346 W. Main St., Dothan, AL 36301. Mr. Jernigan was born and reared in Columbia, son of the late Laurel Washington Jernigan and Flora Singletary Jernigan. He attended Houston County High School in Columbia. In 1947, Mr. Jernigan enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country 21 years before retiring with the rank of Boatswain Mate Senior Chief. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and also served during the Vietnam Era. Mr. Jernigan lived in North Charleston, S.C., before returning to Columbia in 1968. Mr. Jernigan was formerly engaged in farming and also employed as a carpenter. He and his wife co-owned and operated the Port City Hardware in Columbia for a number of years. Mr. Jernigan was an active member of Columbia United Methodist Church, the Good Sam Camping Club and served the Boy Scouts as a Scoutmaster. Mr. Jernigan formerly served as president of the Columbia Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Florence Pitts Jernigan, a sister, DeLone Jernigan Henley, and a brother, Edwin F. Jernigan. Surviving relatives include his wife, Louise S. Jernigan, Columbia; two daughters, Susan J. Pelt and husband, Chester Pelt, Ashford, Katrina J. Kolseth and husband, Ric Kolseth, Todd, N.C.; two sons, Anthony B. Jernigan and wife, Kathy Jernigan, Columbia, Kenneth E. Jernigan and wife, Sheryl Jernigan, Newton; three sisters, Ruth J. Hand and husband, Bill Hand, Dothan, Emily J. Hunter, Columbia, Ann Johnson, Webb; 12 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Serving as active pallbearers will be Blake Kolseth, Riordan Kolseth, Micah Kolseth, Isaac Kolseth, Ben Jernigan and Russell Hunter. Holman-Headland Mortuary, (334) 693-3371, is in charge of arrangements.