AHOSKIE – Linda Williams Jernigan of Ahoskie died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

Linda was born in Sanford on March 20, 1925 and was the daughter of Margaret Judd Williams and the Honorable Clawson Lee Williams.

She graduated from Greensboro College and UNC-Chapel Hill, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She was presented at the 1946 NC Debutante Ball in Raleigh. Linda later married Roberts Harrell Jernigan, Jr. of Ahoskie, where she lived most of her adult life. For twenty years, while Roberts was serving in the NC General Assembly, Linda enjoyed attending political functions and was a member of the Sir Walter Cabinet. She was also active in both St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Ahoskie and the community, where she held many leadership positions.

Linda taught Spanish at Ahoskie High School for more than twenty years and loved the interaction with her students. She lived her last two years at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Raleigh, where she enjoyed many new friendships.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Roberts Harrell Jernigan, Jr., and two sisters, Elizabeth Judd Williams and Margaret Banks Williams.

She is survived by her three children, Roberts Harrell Jernigan, III of Ahoskie, Elizabeth Jernigan Andrews of Raleigh, and Clawson Williams Jernigan (Dawn) of Raleigh; her sister, Irene Williams Frazer of Mobile, AL; her brother, Clawson Lee Williams, Jr. (Diane) of Seven Lakes; and five wonderful grandchildren, Richard Lewis Andrews, Jr. (Austin) of Washington, NC, Margaret Marshall Andrews (Jason Schwartz) of Philadelphia, Elizabeth Judd Andrews of Charlotte, Robert Gray Jernigan and Kenan Rand Jernigan of Raleigh.

The family will receive friends at the Jernigan House Bed and Breakfast, 209 S. Catherine Creek Road, Ahoskie, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2011.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ahoskie at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 28, 2011. A private interment will precede the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Friends and family may send online condolences to www.garrettjonesfh.com

Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie is serving the Jernigan family.