Funeral service for Rev. Ralph B. Jernigan, 82, of Jackson’s Gap, will be Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 10:00 am at the New Beginning Baptist Church.  Rev. Terry Baker will officiate and Bro. Ralph’s family members will speak. Burial will follow in the Hartford City Cemetery on Tuesday at 4:00 pm.  The family will receive friends on Monday, March 4, 2013 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Radney Funeral Home.

Bro. Ralph passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at his residence.  He was born on November 19, 1930 in Goshen, Alabama to Joseph Edward Jernigan and Emma Rosa Cooper Jernigan.  Bro. Ralph graduated from Howard College, now known as Samford University and also New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   Bro. Ralph devoted himself to the Lord’s ministry for 62 years.  He once served as Pastor of Munford Baptist Church, Westwood Baptist Church, Central Park BaptistChurch, First Baptist Church of Troy, First Baptist Church of Talladega and New Beginning Baptist Church, where he served as Pastor Emeritus.  He also served numerous churches as Interim Pastor and most recently Jackson’s Gap Baptist Church.  Bro. Ralph was a selfless man of integrity who devoted himself to the Lord and his family.  His denominational contributions are many and include Director Emeritus of Baptist Foundation of Alabama; Trustee of Baptist Medical Centers, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Alabama Baptist Children’s Home and Birmingham Baptist Camps; Board of Governors for Judson College; Committee on Boards of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Alabama Baptist Convention as well as other denominational and civic organizations. He enjoyed gardening, tending to daylilies, boating and spending time on Lake Martin, antiquing and most of all, reading God’s word.

He is survived by his sons, Ralph B. Jernigan, Jr. (Debbie),  of Tampa, FL;  Dr. John Orr Jernigan of Talladega, AL and James E. Jernigan (Denise),  of Vandiver, AL; grandchildren, Bridget Taylor, Brad Jernigan (Stacey), Brooke Lawson (Rick), Randi McManus (John), Lauren Jernigan, Alex Jernigan, Jillian  Jernigan and Aaron Benjamin Jernigan; great-grandchildren, Chloe Taylor, Emma Taylor, Faith Taylor, Olivia Lawson, Haylee Lawson, Mackenzie Jernigan , Talen McManus and Embry Claire McManus; and brother, Eric C. Jernigan (LaDora), of Houston, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathryn Elizabeth Orr Jernigan; sisters, Virginia, Juanita and Frances; and brothers, John and Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home or to Gideon International.

The family would like to give a special “thank you” to Southern Care Hospice for their love, care and concern that has been extended to Bro. Ralph and the family.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.

Radney Funeral Home in Alexander City, Alabama is in charge of the arrangements.