George Jernigan

WINDSOR – George Wilson Jernigan, 86, a native of Bertie County, died February 14, 2004, at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. He was the widower of Yvonne B. Flowers Jernigan;

A graveside service was conducted Monday in Edgewood Cemetery, Windsor, by the Rev. Harvey Jackson. The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to Republican Baptist Church, c/o Mr. Reddick White, 301 Sterlingworth St., Windsor, NC 27983 or a charity of donor’s choice.

Jernigan served in Europe during World War II in the 178th Engineers Division of Gen. Patton’s Third Army. He served three terms on the Bertie County Board of Education. He was a retired farmer and a lifetime member and deacon of Republican Baptist Church.

Survivors include a brother, Donald Ray Jernigan of Rich Square; sons, Dr. Perry Jernigan of Elkin and Scott G. Jernigan of Windsor; daughter, Penny J. Wicker of Ahoskie; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Clinton Saunders Sr.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Clinton Henry Saunders Sr., 87, a native of Corapeake, died February 12, 2004, at his residence.

A funeral was conducted Monday at Ebenezer Baptist Church by his son, Pastor Clinton H. Saunders Jr. of Mount Victory Baptist Church, Seat Pleasant, Md. Burial was in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Fisher Funeral Home was in charge.

Saunders retired after 32 years with Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was a deacon and a member of the Men’s Bible Class. He was also a member of New Middle Swamp Baptist Church in Corapeake. Saunders was an Army veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Virdell Saunders; four children, Clint Jr., Martha, Joseph and Lutricia; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Early Gay Sr.

SUFFOLK, Va. – Early Gay Sr., a native of Jackson, died February 11, 2004.

A Christian wake was held Saturday in St. John Pentecostal Holiness Church where a funeral was conducted Sunday by Overseer Bailey Hall Jr. Burial was in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home Inc., was in charge.

Gay retired after 30 years of service as a fireman for Sheffield Lumber Company. He was a member of St. John Pentecostal Holiness Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Eva A. Daniels, Daisie L. Hall and Maria R. Chapman, all of Suffolk; four sons, Bishop Early Gay Jr., Elder Ashley Gay Sr. of Suffolk, Frank T. Gay and Pastor Edward Gay of Philadelphia, Pa.; a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

Audrey Mae Hardy Ruffin

AHOSKIE – Audrey Mae Hardy Ruffin passed into eternity after a lengthy illness on Friday, February 13, 2004 at her daughter’s residence in Ahoskie where she received continuous love, compassion and quality care.

Audrey, who entered this world on April 26, 1926 in Roxobel, was the first of five siblings born to the late Thomas Hardy and Helen Bush Hardy.

Audrey graduated in 1945 from W.S. Creecy High School and completed her cosmetology certification at Maco Beauty College in Greensboro. She successfully operated a beauty salon for many years.

For 19 years, Audrey worked as a Housing Specialist for Choanoke Area Development Association and later served on their Board. She was appointed by the Bertie County Commissioners to the Board of Health.

Audrey was also a member of the FHA and Tri County Credit Union boards.

In addition, Audrey was a member of the Merry Makers Club of Portsmouth, Va. She loved to travel and took many trips throughout the United States and abroad.

Audrey joined Sandy Branch Baptist Church at an early age and served as chairperson of the Trustee Board, Usher Board and in other capacities at the church. Dedicated service to the church was a source of joy and fulfillment in her life.

In 1954, Audrey married Linzy Ruffin, who preceded her in death in 2001. To this union was born one daughter, Wendy Ruffin-Barnes. She also reared two special nephews, Clyde and Linzy Ruffin.

She will best be remembered for her sense of humor, strength in times of trouble and warm concern for others. Most of all, she will be remembered by her daughter as a devoted, protective, loving and caring mother.

She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Wendy, and devoted son-in-law, Roy &uot;Scott&uot; Barnes; one granddaughter, Mia Audrey Barnes; two special nephews, Linzy Ruffin (Patricia) of Lewiston and Clyde P. Ruffin (Delois) of Winton; three sisters, Maggie H. Boone of Greensboro, Emma H. Johnson (Freddie) of Aulander, Dorothy H. Walton of Chesapeake; one brother, Thomas Hardy Jr. of Portsmouth; dedicated caregiver, Florence &uot;Jean&uot; Brown, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A funeral will be held at 12 noon today (Tuesday, Feb. 17) at Sandy Branch Baptist Church, Roxobel, by the Rev. Lycurgus Harrell. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Reynolds Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is handling the arrangements.