Christopher Robert Jernigan

1986 - 2022

Christopher Robert Jernigan, beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, cousin, and friend to many passed away suddenly at his residence in Memphis on April 11, 2022, five days before his 36th birthday. Our hearts are now broken, but we sustain ourselves in the belief that he will live on in our hearts with happy memories of his beautiful, gentle soul. We are truly blessed to have had him for nearly 36 years and we thank God for the blessing of his presence among us.

Born April 16, 1986, in Memphis, he was loved and cherished by his immediate surviving family: parents Carol and Jeff Jernigan of Jonesborough, TN, and sister Mary Margaret Jernigan (King) of Memphis. His close-knit extended family full of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, who all loved seeing him at family gatherings, also mourn his passing.

He grew up in a close neighborhood and church community in Memphis and as a child loved playing with his friends and pets and living life with his family. He especially loved annual trips to the beach, going to see Gran and Gramps, Grandmommy and Grandaddy, his cousins, aunts, and uncles. He always had a great time and brightened everyone with his spirit and sense of humor.

He showed an early interest in music and chess and cultivated these interests his whole life. He later developed an interest in cooking, and combining this with his naturally bright personality, he provided many moments of warm fellowship to those around him. His friends and family have always noted how he made them smile and laugh, and this was a gift he was able to give to all those he touched throughout his life. He was a joy to be around, whatever the circumstances, whether it was a family gathering, work, babysitting, tailgating, playing chess or going to a music festival. He had a bright, inquiring mind and thought about things with a depth and perception not often seen; he felt emotions deeply as well, from excitement and joy to grief and sorrow. Through his gentle philosophy, he never failed to ultimately place a bright outlook on everything, and he loved injecting his sense of humor into any gathering. His sweet, open demeanor and his love for family and friends was apparent to all who knew him.

While his presence has been taken from us, his soul remains. We will miss him terribly, but we will strive to keep his spirit alive in us by remembering who he was, what he meant to us and what he stood for. To keep this alive and to be grateful for it will be our practice.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Marcia and Robert ""Skip"" Hale of Kingsport, TN. In addition to his parents and sister, he is survived by his grandparents, Robert and Jeanne Jernigan of Kingsport, TN, his nephew Thaddeus ""Wally"" Ferrell of Durango, CO, brother-in-law Jeffrey King, niece Amis Marie King and nephew August ""Gus"" King, all of Memphis. He is also survived by numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles across the country.

Our sincere appreciation is extended to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar, where a service was conducted on April 30, with burial near a spot on the grounds that we are told was a place of meditation for Chris. We are grateful for their kindness, as well as the kindness, love, and support from all who were able to attend.

In light of Chris's interests, please consider donations to these local organizations: Playback Memphis at 1000 South Cooper, Memphis 38104 (playbackmemphis.org), NAMI Memphis at 3729 South Hickory Ridge Mall Ste. 480, Memphis 38115 (namimemphis.org) or Memphis Chess Club, 195 Madison Ave. Memphis 38103 (memphischessclub.com/donate).