Nita Barnette Jernigan

   Nita Lynn Barnette Jernigan, 73, formerly of Edenton, NC, and more recently of Winterville, died Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 in The Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice.

   Nita was born in Chowan County on September 11, 1949 and was the daughter of the late Claude Edison Barnette and Monnie Coppedge Barnette Bunch. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Richardson; and by brothers, Carroll and Bobby Barnette.

   A homemaker and member of Cape Colony Church of Christ, she was a published poet and songwriter, and from 1996 to 2002 was a member of the National Famous Poets Society.

   Surviving are three daughters, Penny Wood (husband, Keith) of Edenton and Julie Waldt (husband, Greg) and Marlene Barnette Edwards, both of Winterville; two sons, Dale Jernigan (wife, Ashley) of Aulander and Tracy Jernigan of Winterville; two sisters, Ellen Jones of Colerain and Sue Britt of Edenton; two brothers, Claude Barnette of Pembroke and Melvin Barnette of Chocowinity; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

   A memorial service will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, and will be conducted by her pastor, The Rev. Greg Biggs. A private burial will follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family in the funeral home immediately following the chapel service.