Rev. Gladys Elaine Jernigan, 82, was called home by the Lord on Thursday, June 30, 2011, from the York Hospital. She was the widow of George Jernigan. Rev. Jernigan was born in York, on May 21, 1929, to the late Walter and Minnie (Sexton) Kirkland. Rev. Jernigan was a graduate of William Penn Sr. High School, and attended Lancaster Bible College and Lincoln University. She was a faithful member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where she was ordained as a minister and she loved studying the Word of God. Her life interests included; crochet & knitting, painting, writing plays, playing the piano and helping others. She was a member of Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliation Chapter No. 26; AARP; Crispus Attucks Sr. Program and the Black Ministers Association. Those who knew Rev. Jernigan knew her to be a counselor, friend and confidante. Rev. Jernigan leaves to cherish her memories, three sons, Jeffrey L. Kirkland companion Tamiko Harris, Kerry L. Kirkland wife Juanita, and Eric D. Kirkland companion, Shirley Woodyard; two sisters, Faye Marie Kirkland and Brenda L. Rice; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Shirley A. Kirkland; a sister-in-law, Betty Kirkland; and a host of other family members and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Calvin Kirkland, Walter Kirkland, Jerome Kirkland and Dale Kirkland; four sisters, Queenie Spells, Romaine Bland, Mary L. Kirkland and Anna Ruth Woodard; and a grandson, Omar Kirkland. A viewing is scheduled on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Bible Tabernacle Christian Center, 361 S. Pine St., York, Pa. 17401, and a Celebration of Life service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Aaron A. Willford, Jr., officiating. Burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens, York. Boulding Mortuary Inc., is handling arrangements.
Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on July 6, 2011