Gerald Arvin Jarnigan

Gerald Arvin Jarnigan, age 86, Red Bay, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He joins his beloved wife of 66 years, Dorothy, in their home in Heaven. He was a devoted husband and father, deacon at Cedar Creek Baptist Church, a farmer, and retired machinist at Martin Industries. He enjoyed gardening, working with his hands, piddling in his shop, welding, and making and fixing things for others. He enjoyed visiting with friends and family, singing hymn and folk music, learning and sharing genealogy, taking and sharing photographs, sitting on his swing on his front porch, and watching his hummingbirds, martins, and other birds, and his dogs over the years. He loved to share fruit and vegetables out of his garden and orchard. Rarely did anyone leave his home without something to take home with them. Most of all, he loved his God, family, church, and friends. He never met a stranger. In a word, he was a conversationalist. He could strike up a conversation with absolutely anyone and he would always find someone or something in common. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 from 6:00 until 9:00 PM at Cedar Creek Baptist Church. Services will be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Cedar Creek Baptist Church following a visitation from 11:00 a.m. ? 2:00 p.m. Speaking at the service will be Kevin Baggett, Dean Sawyer, Curtis Baggett, Kenneth Baggett, and Nickolas Grassel. Special singers will be Karen Crow and Alaina & Caleb Ramey. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. He leaves to cherish his memory his legacy of seven daughters ? Jane Grassel (Nick), Jeannette Pearson (Danny), Juanita Baggett (Kenneth), Diane Baggett (Carl), Denise Coston (Ralls), Helen Allen (Gary) and Susan Sawyer (Dean); eleven grandchildren ? Justin Leathers (Kathee), Nickolas Grassel, Curtis Baggett (Jennifer), Alaina Ramey (Caleb), David Grassel, Lacey Nasman (Kristoffer), Adrienne Pearson, Karen Crow (Brett), Kevin Baggett (Michelle), and Derrick and Danielle Sawyer; and seven great-grandchildren ? Hattie and Lydia Ramey, Paul and Pierce Baggett, Autumn, Ruby, and Everly Leathers; sister-in-law, Maxine Jarnigan; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy Hester Jarnigan, his granddaughter, Allison Marylil Pearson, his parents, Ellis and Vella Jarnigan; and his brothers and their wives: Malcolm, Troy and Marie, William and Julia, and Dexter and Nellie Jarnigan. The pallbearers will be Justin Leathers, Nickolas Grassel, Curtis and Kevin Baggett, Derrick Sawyer, Brett Crow, and Wesley Jarnigan. The granddaughters will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial to Cedar Creek Baptist Church or to Gideons International.

Gerald Arvin Jarnigan

March 27, 1930 - March 20, 2017

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