Obituary for Beatrice Johnie Henderson (Jernigan)
On September 10, 2022, Beatrice Johnnie Jernigan Henderson peacefully transitioned into eternal rest at home with her family by her side. Bea was the fourth of eight children, born in Norfolk, Virginia to the late John H. Jernigan and Myrtle Robinson Jernigan.
She was educated in the Portsmouth and Norfolk Public School Systems, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School-Class of 1947. After having her three children, she matriculated at Norfolk State College where she received her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she was employed by the Portsmouth Public School System and later to the Norfolk Public School System until her retirement in 1992.
Bea was a member of First Baptist Church Bute Street where she served faithfully as a member of the Usher Board #1 and was President for a few terms. Calvary Revival Church has been her church home for the last 27 years, where she served in the senior’s ministry. Other affiliations she was associated with were the N.E.A., the Retired Teachers Association, the Beta Theta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, B.T. Washington Alumni, Norfolk State University Alumni and the Douglas Park Reunion.
After retirement, Bea volunteered for the Norfolk Adult Literacy Program and later at Bayside Hospital. During her lifetime, she was active in many local, state and national political campaigns. Beatrice enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad to exotic destinations such as Africa, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Her unique sense of style reflected her love of shopping.
Beatrice was predeceased by both parents and six siblings: Margaret Jernigan, Evelyn Johnson, Myrtle Malloy, Doris Dunn, Deloris Shelton, and Johnnie Mae Jernigan. She is survived by her three children: Daughters, Cynthia Hall and Claudette Henderson; and a Son, Darryl Hall; five grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett, Natouri Hall, Nyle Hall, Ja’lyn Hall and Trinity Henderson; nine great-grandchildren, one Brother, John Jernigan, a Sister-in-law, Anne Jernigan, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
She was educated in the Portsmouth and Norfolk Public School Systems, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School-Class of 1947. After having her three children, she matriculated at Norfolk State College where she received her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she was employed by the Portsmouth Public School System and later to the Norfolk Public School System until her retirement in 1992.
Bea was a member of First Baptist Church Bute Street where she served faithfully as a member of the Usher Board #1 and was President for a few terms. Calvary Revival Church has been her church home for the last 27 years, where she served in the senior’s ministry. Other affiliations she was associated with were the N.E.A., the Retired Teachers Association, the Beta Theta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, B.T. Washington Alumni, Norfolk State University Alumni and the Douglas Park Reunion.
After retirement, Bea volunteered for the Norfolk Adult Literacy Program and later at Bayside Hospital. During her lifetime, she was active in many local, state and national political campaigns. Beatrice enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad to exotic destinations such as Africa, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Her unique sense of style reflected her love of shopping.
Beatrice was predeceased by both parents and six siblings: Margaret Jernigan, Evelyn Johnson, Myrtle Malloy, Doris Dunn, Deloris Shelton, and Johnnie Mae Jernigan. She is survived by her three children: Daughters, Cynthia Hall and Claudette Henderson; and a Son, Darryl Hall; five grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett, Natouri Hall, Nyle Hall, Ja’lyn Hall and Trinity Henderson; nine great-grandchildren, one Brother, John Jernigan, a Sister-in-law, Anne Jernigan, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.