Juanita D. Jernigan's Obituary
On Tuesday, December 17, Juanita Darlene Jernigan stepped from this life into eternity with Jesus. Juanita was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother whose kind and gentle love for others impacted many. Juanita was born in Wichita, Kansas on August 20, 1935. During her elementary and high school years she also lived in Missouri and Tennessee. For college Juanita received a music degree from Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tennessee. It was there she met and married Bill, her husband of 57 years. Before the couple married in 1956, Juanita also earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from George Peabody College. After teaching second grade for four years, Juanita began to teach piano from her home so she could be home with her children. She continued to teach piano for the next 50 years. Over 1000 school age children took piano from Juanita throughout her teaching career. In 1965 Juanita and Bill and their two daughters Julie and Lisa relocated to Tulsa when Bill became the head librarian at Oral Roberts University. Since that time the couple’s roots have grown deep into Tulsa and ORU where they enjoyed raising their family and ministering to others. In 2010 Juanita was diagnosed with ovarian cancer which eventually took her life. Through her determination to find joy and laughter in the midst of a negative situation, she founded the non-profit organization Joy in the Cause with her daughter Lisa Bain. This organization focuses on bringing support, joy, and laughter to those with life altering illness. Juanita is survived by her husband Bill and daughter Julie Cole and Lisa Bain. She has eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in honor of Juanita’s life at 10:30am on December 23 at First United Methodist Church in Tulsa. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Joy in the Cause. Website for donations is joyinthecause.org.
What’s your fondest memory of Juanita?
What’s a lesson you learned from Juanita?
Share a story where Juanita's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Juanita you’ll never forget.
How did Juanita make you smile?