Jo Ann McDuffie Jernigan

Jo Ann McDuffie Jernigan, 94, passed away October 10, 2019 at her residence after a long illness. She was born January 30, 1925 in Luella, LA and moved to Monroe in 1929. She was preceded in death by her parents G. W. (Will) and Marie McDuffie, brother, G. W. “Buck” McDuffie, great nephew, “Little” Buck Bostick, brother-in-law, Harry H. Petty and husband, Cecil B. Jernigan.
She is survived by her children, Jimmy Jernigan and wife, Marilyn of Lantana, TX and Pat Phillips and husband, Bill of Rocky Branch, LA; grandchildren, Marc Phillips and wife, Jodie of Kingwood, TX, Will Phillips and Anna Phillips of Houston, TX; great grandchildren, Scott Phillips of Ruston, LA and Rachel Phillips of Kingwood, TX; sister, Polly McDuffie Petty and sister-in-law, Margie Ann McDuffie.
Jo Ann attended Georgia Tucker, Neville High School (class of 1941) and Northeast LA Jr. College. Jo Ann had the special gift of nursing and who remember her know that her calling was never denied to strangers, friends or family. She loved St. Francis where she received her training and graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing in 1947. After marrying and moving to Montgomery, AL, she worked at the V. A. Hospital. Upon returning to Monroe in 1957, she returned to St. Francis and worked there until her retirement in 1990. She loved working on the 2nd floor (Belles of St. Mary’s) under the guidance of Sister Liguori who became her mentor. Before retiring she had the position of Patient Care Coordinator of Surgery. In 1990 she received the Sister Liguori Lawton Humanitarian Award. She served as Past President of the Monroe District Nurses Association and was on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana State Nurses Association. She also was a member of the American Nurses Association. Jo Ann was frequently quoted as saying, “God has a vocation for everyone, and nursing is mine.”
Jo Ann was an active member of College Place Baptist Church teaching Sunday School for many years in the high school girl’s department and chaperoning as nurse on many youth trips. Later in life, she taught a wonderful group of friends in Sunday school. Jo Ann’s true passion was missions, which led her to serve as the Woman’s Missionary Union Leader until 2015. Her favorite missionary was Lottie Moon for whom she was an untiring advocate. She also enjoyed being a member of the Adult Handbell Choir.
Another passion of Jo Ann’s was traveling. Before and after retirement she traveled the globe. Her favorite country became China. Jo Ann loved life and spending time with her family. She gave unconditionally to her grandchildren and was so proud of the great grandchildren. She also loved her nieces and nephews (Sparky McDuffie, Sam McDuffie, Kathryn M. Waggoner, Fred H. Petty, Laura P. Hall and John P. Cox) always remembering their birthdays with a card signed by “Sissy”.
The family would like to thank the wonderful care given to her by Dr. Greg Green and Beth Singleton of St. Joseph Hospice; and also her caregivers; Nicci Wall, Shu Livia Kendall, Faye Barnes, Jean Williams, Cathy Garner, Ashley Robertson, and Marilyn Williams.
Pallbearers will be Ramsey Ogg, Todd Holyfield, Frank Anzalone, Tom Waggoner, John P. Cox, Will Phillips and Scott Phillips.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday October 14, 2019 in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe, LA with Rev. Jimmy Pitson and Dr. Bob Eisenstadt officiating. Interment will follow in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe, LA Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until service time.
Memorials may be made in Jo Ann’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 5001 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105