Mr. Bob Jernigan

Mr. Elisha Robert “Bob” Jernigan, 94, of Buena Vista, GA, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Union United Methodist Church with Rev. David Chapman and Rev. Bill Harris officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Mailhot, Ricky Singleton, Ken Singleton, Jake Tucker, Ted McMillan, Luke Jernigan, Wayne Jernigan, and Lucas Singleton. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 6:00-8:00PM.

Mr. Jernigan was born in Marion County, GA, on March 19, 1928, to Elisha Redding and Nettie Lucille Powell Jernigan.  He was Methodist by faith and a lifetime supporter, member and participant of Union United Methodist Church.  A United States Army Veteran, Mr. Jernigan served during World War II. Mr. Jernigan was a self-employed farmer as well as a pilot for Mike Moon.  He had a number of accomplishments during his lifetime. Mr. Jernigan was Chairman of the Marion County Board of Education for many years as well as being instrumental in creating Tri-County High School and he was a past President of the Georgia School Board Association. He was involved in many aspects of the energy sector. Mr. Jernigan was a board member of Sumter Electric Membership Corporation for 50 years during which time he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for 28 of those years. He was a Representative on the Member Advisory Board of Oglethorpe Power Corporation where he was Vice-Chairman from 1990-1993. Mr. Jernigan was a member of the Board of Directors of Georgia Electric Membership since 1979 and served as Chairman from 1980-1981, and he was Chairman of the Georgia Energy Cooperative for 17 years since its inception. He was instrumental in persuading Marion County Commissioners to put water in Marion County. Mr. Jernigan participated in the Emmaus Walk and invited other individuals to participate as well. He provided many meals and food for The Golden Rule Girls from Taylor County for numerous years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Jernigan, by two brothers, Marvin Jernigan and Melvin Jernigan, and by a sister, Myrtle Jernigan Icard.

He is survived two sons, Bobby and Ruby Jernigan and Cole Jernigan; a daughter, B. J. Baumann; a daughter-in-law, Meisha Jernigan; six grandchildren, Niki Watkins, Matt Henley, Libi Henley, Ben Baumann, Jordan Jernigan, and Cutter Jernigan; four great-grandchildren, Cash Watkins, Sawyer Todd, Bowen Todd, and Foster Todd; and by a brother, Wayne and Lavonne Jernigan.

Way-Watson Funeral Home of Buena Vista, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.