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AULANDER – Brenda Faye Jernigan, affectionately known as “B.J.” age 69, passed away on January 15, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Jernigan was born in Northampton County on October 17, 1953, a daughter of the late Garvis and Wilma Lewis Jernigan. Brenda worked as a cosmetologist for over 50 years and was owner/operator of Kut ‘N Up in Ahoskie for the past 25 years. She was a devoted member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and enjoyed helping deliver Meals on Wheels with her husband. She was a proud member of the Red Hat Society, better known as the Ya-Ya’s, and enjoyed the fellowship with her sisters. Brenda enjoyed attending live music events and dancing. She enjoyed nature and loved planting seasonal flowers in her yard, and over the years loved and cared for her dogs. Spending time at their home on the Chowan River at White’s Beach, was one of her favorite pastimes, making beautiful memories with family and friends. Brenda got involved in the Gallery Theater and entertained many with her acting skills, participating in two theater productions, “Cheating”, in which her character was a hairdresser and also played a part in “Trip To Bountiful”. B.J. battled cancer for over 6 years, continuing to work because of her love for her profession, always giving God the credit for her strength to go on. Her colleagues and clients were her extended family and they all loved her as that. Of all the things that B.J. loved, her nine grandchildren were her life, always ready to brag on and show pictures. She was a gentle soul and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Besides her parents, B.J. was preceded in death by her brothers, Julian Jernigan, and Ronnie “R.J.” Jernigan.

Left to cherish her memory is her devoted husband Joseph Richard Jernigan, Jr.; four sons, John Paul Gleason and wife, Dawn of Savannah, GA, Brian Gleason of Aulander, NC, Joseph Richard Jernigan, III, and wife, Courtney of Springdale, AR, and Michael Jernigan and fiancé, Tara of Garner, NC; six grandsons, Hunter Gleason of Fort Collins, CO, Brendan Gleason of Salt Lake City, UT, Liam Gleason of Savannah, GA and Finnian Gleason of Elkridge, MD, Tiernan Gleason of Elkridge, MD, and Owen Jernigan of Springdale, AR; three granddaughters, Madison Gleason of Savannah, GA, Ann Marie Gleason of Savannah, GA and Isla Jernigan of Springdale, AR; two brothers, William Jernigan and wife, Nancy of Ahoskie, NC, David Jernigan, Col. US Army Ret. and wife, Brenda of Fayetteville, NC; and her beloved dog and companion, Cooper Jernigan.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC, and other times at the home.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel, with Pastor Greg Hurdle officiating. A private inurnment will be in Ahoskie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 247, Aulander, NC, 27805; the McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge, 930A Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC, 27834; or to PAWS of Hertford County, 231 Mt. Moriah Rd., Ahoskie, NC, 27910

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Jernigan family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.