Bonnie Jernigan Kernes

Bonnie Jernigan Kernes, 92, of Lepanto, Arkansas departed this life on June 11, 2024 at Three Rivers Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Marked Tree, Arkansas.  Bonnie was born on August 14, 1931 in Lepanto, Arkansas to Grover Coleman and Essie Caroline Watkins Jernigan.  She graduated from Lepanto High School in 1949.  She attended grade school at “Jernigan”, a school her grandfather built after moving from Tennessee to Homestead near Lepanto and she attended ninth grade at Misco High School in West Ridge, Arkansas.  Bonnie attended Mary Hardin-Baylor College in Belton, Texas and Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas.  Her chosen interest were Home Economics and Psychology. In the fall of 1949, Bonnie met Floyd Eugene Kernes, a January 1951 distinguished military graduate of Texas A&M University.  They married on August 1, 1950 at the Lepanto, Arkansas family home.  Floyd is the son of Reverand William Daniel and Mabel Pedigo Kernes.  Bonnie started her career with Mountain Bell Telephone Company, a subsidiary of Southwestern Bell, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  After four years in this city, they returned to Texas.  Bonnie resumed her telephone career in Lubbock, retiring in 1985 after twenty-nine years of service.  During their retirement years they traveled extensively all over the world and returned to Lepanto in 2012.  They were lifelong Baptist. Floyd served as a deacon and Bonnie served as a deacon’s wife in many churches for over sixty years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and one sister Conita Lyle.

Bonnie is survived by Glenda Taylor of Collierville, Tennessee, Gloria Phillips of Medford, Oregon, Ross Jernigan of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Maurice Shortnacy of Crawfordsville, Arkansas, Steve Jernigan of Lepanto, Arkansas, Joyce Seibert of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Jim Jernigan of Sao Paulo, Brazil and Gail Jernigan of Lepanto, Arkansas.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Lepanto, Arkansas.  302 Kenwood, Lepanto, Arkansas 72354.

Arrangements are under the care of Delancey Funeral Home, Lepanto, Arkansas.