Former Buildings & Grounds employee Johnny Jernigan passed away in Raleigh on June 8, 2021. He was 84 years old.

Johnny worked at Ravenscroft from 1992 to 2015 and was, as Head of School Doreen Kelly remembered, “beloved by those who knew him. Johnny was a loyal and joyful colleague who embodied Lead From Here before it even existed. There wasn’t a day that went by that you didn’t experience Johnny’s joy, hope, faith and love — and his voice humming while he worked.”

Director of Protective Services Dennis Lane remembered him as the “most loyal and dedicated person I know of here.”

Johnny’s dedication and service to Ravenscroft were celebrated in 2002 with the Helton Award, given annually in recognition of excellence in teaching and outstanding service to the school.

Students and faculty from Johnny’s time might remember a Lower School Veterans Day celebration when he sang “The White Cliffs of Dover.” “There wasn’t a dry eye in the gym that morning,” Kelly recalled.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Agnes Harris Jernigan; daughters, Jonice Cooper (James) and Denise Jernigan (James); sons, Lorenzo Jernigan, Johnathan Jernigan (Pam), Dexter Burnette and Darryl Burnette (Monique); 23 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Edna Wade Wilder; brother, Jesse Jernigan; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. this Saturday, June 19, at Smith Temple Baptist Church, 322 South East St., Raleigh. More information and a Tribute Wall are available in his online obituary.