September 8, 2025, 76, Goldsboro —
Joan Druscilla Jernigan Wynn entered into eternal rest on Monday morning, September 8, 2025.
Joan was born in Wayne County, North Carolina, on April 28, 1949, to the late Edward Lee and Eudelle Sasser Jernigan. She grew up in Mount Olive, North Carolina, and was an active member of the First Baptist Church. In 1967, she graduated from Southern Wayne High School. She continued her education at Mount Olive Junior College and received an Associate of Science degree in 1969. During the summers while attending college, she worked in the lab at the Mount Olive Pickle Company. She continued her education at Campbell College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971. After graduation, she accepted her first teaching position at Central Baptist School in Hampton, Virginia, where she taught 5th grade for 2 years and met her dear friend, Brenda Franklin. Then she accepted a teacher position at Poquoson City Schools, where she taught Family & Consumer Sciences (Home Economics) for 35 years at Poquoson High School.
She mentored and touched the lives of countless students in the Poquoson community. Ms. Wynn sponsored the FHA (Future Homemakers of America) club. She and her students collected paper products and delivered the products in person on field trips to the Ronald McDonald House in Norfolk, Virginia. She also led several themed mock weddings and took her students on field trips to Busch Gardens to tour the costume department as part of fashion design. In 1986, she was inducted into the prestigious Order of the Bullpen organization for her service to the Poquoson community. Joan furthered her educational career by completing a Master of Science in Education in 1988 from Old Dominion University. In 1996, Joan was awarded Teacher of the Year by the Poquoson City Schools. She was an active member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society and the Poquoson Retired Teachers Association. Joan enjoyed serving the Poquoson community and met many dear friends during her teaching career.
She retired from a 37-year teaching career in 2009 and enjoyed spending time with her parents in North Carolina. Joan enjoyed many fun trips to the beach at Pine Knoll Shores and Emerald Isle saltwater fishing with her dad, mom, and daughter. She enjoyed spending time on the water with her daughter on their Carolina Skiff, riding around Lambs Creek, the Poquoson River, and Chisman Creek. She enjoyed many beautiful sunsets and dolphin sightings out on the water. Joan and her daughter, Amanda, were loyal and constant companions and enjoyed spending time together eating out, shopping, boating, and traveling.
Joan will be best remembered as a loving mother, relative, friend, and dedicated teacher.
A graveside service to celebrate Joan’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Wayne Memorial Park. The family will greet friends immediately following the service at the cemetery.
Joan is survived by her daughter, Dr. Amanda J. Wynn (Johnny Miles). She is also survived by her aunt Alice Berigtold of Maryland and many cousins.
Memorials may be given in memory of Joan Jernigan to The Billy Graham Library, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 https://giving.billygraham.org/ or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ .
The Jernigan Family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all acts of kindness shown to them during their time of bereavement. Your love, prayers, visits, and memorial tributes are greatly appreciated. May God bless each of you in a very special way.
