MOLLIE JANE JERNIGAN WARD
7/10/1931-9/28/2008
Mollie Jane, daughter of Gasque and Virginia, went Home Sunday, September 28, 2008. Mollie Jane was a proud Santa Rosa County resident and a member of one of the pioneer families of North West Florida. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as the Daughters of the Confederacy. She was also a member of the Floridatown Historical Society.
Except for the past few years, she was involved in many civic activities, a lot of them being the restoration and preservation of many of the old Santa Rosa Cemeteries. Mollie Jane was a member of Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church, of which was named for her great-grandmother.
Mollie Jane was preceded in death by her husband and soul mate, Jim Ward, in 1983; and her sister, Julie Booher, who went Home in January 2004.
She leaves behind three sisters, Pat Price, of DeFuniak Springs, Hester (Wilbert) Courtney, of Milton, and Myra Hughes, of Pace; sister-in-law, Pat (Leon) Livingston; much loved nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends; four adoring children, who will miss her most of all, David (Joyce) Mitchell, of Pace, Ginny (Richard) Garrett, of Pace, Crystal Ward (Jim Lane), of Pace, Jayme (Robin) Ward, of Milton; also, ten grandchildren, Jesse Mitchell, Heather Baesman, Bonnie and Hollie Livingston, Laura and Matt Melton, Tiffany, Charlsey and Cody Martin, and James Ward.
"We love you, Grandmother. We won't forget the things you taught us."
Funeral services for Mrs. Ward will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 2, 2008 at Elizabeth Chapel with Rev. Byrd Mapoles officiating. Burial will follow in Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery with Lewis Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM, Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at Lewis Funeral Home, Pace Chapel, 4777 W. Spencerfield Road in Pace.
Active pallbearers will be Gary Price, Danny Hughes, Leon Livingston, Jeff Melton, Calvin Robinson and Johnny Rollo.
Honorary pallbearers will be Edward Collinsworth, Alvin Enfinger, Harold Dannelley, Wilbert Courtney, Dave Rankin and Mike Riley.
Friends may send condolences and share fond memories with the family to www.lewisfuneralhomes.net
Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 10/1/2008
1 comment:
I did not see Mollie Jane that often. However, the last time I did see her was at my mother's funeral. The experience was so stunning that as a writer I felt compelled to put together my thoughts in a poem. And, I have posted it below.
Please allow me to express my deepest sympathies to all of Mollie Jane's family. I know that she worked very hard to preserve the history of the Jernigan family for future generations.
Mary Jo Kimbrough Trenkler
Mother - Josephine Jernigan Kimbrough (daughter of Joseph W. and Mary Jernigan)
Father - Fred M. Kimbrough (son of Lovick and Tommie Kimbrough)
THE VISION AT THE OLD CHURCH
Her services were planned in the old church
Where she grew us as a child
Relatives who once knew her were told
As well as the ones who cared
I walked in the front door before anyone
It was hours ahead of time
I wanted to gather my thoughts and my strength
Before others came drifting by
Reflections on my own childhood appeared
The day I tried to play the organ
Despite the fact that I knew just one song
And, “Moon River” just didn’t work
A cleared throat on the other side of church
Grabbed me back to reality
I looked over and saw someone stand up
And, she headed right toward me
“I’ve been told I look a lot like your Mom”
I tried to stand but I couldn’t
“We are second cousins and weren’t real close”
“But, I know she was a good soul”
I think I smiled and nodded my head at her
“You.. you…you do. You look a lot…”
She said she hoped she didn’t bother me
She wouldn’t be at the service
Then, she walked toward the back of the church
I watched every step that she took
A cousin or a vision or wishful thinking
She disappeared in the bright sun
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