Jernigan Genealogy Homepage

The Independence County Chronicle has given permission to reprint the following story.

From the Independence County Chronicle, Vol. XXXVIII, Nos. 1 & 2, Oct. 1996 -- Jan. 1997:

MISS VELA: HER OWN STORY

Transcribed and edited by W. J. Jernigan, Jr.

This article is based on a journal kept by longtime Independence County teacher, Vela Jernigan. The journal came into the possession of her nephew, W. J. Jernigan of Little Rock, and he shares it here with others who knew Miss Vela as a teacher and friend.

One of the most beloved and widely admired members of the Jernigan family of Independence County was "Miss Vela," a longtime teacher in the Batesville schools. She was born on a farm near Charlotte on October 30, 1888. Her mother, Moody, and her father, William Moore Jernigan, descended from old and respected Independence County families. Thomas Todd Tunstall was a maternal great-grandfather. Tunstall had come to Arkansas by steamboat in 1819 and settled in the Dota Creek area north of Newark. He helped found the town of Jacksonport, was the owner of steamboats, a sportsman, breeder of fine race horses, and a gentleman farmer.

There were others of note in Miss Vela's family who lived out their lives in the Batesville area. These include Paul Ward, who served many years as an associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court; Paul's brother, Duke Ward, an outstanding basketball coach; W. T. Jernigan, longtime superintendent of Independence County schools; Ben Jernigan, a respected officer of the First National Bank of Batesville; and the Rev. James F. Jernigan, one of the real "old timers" of Arkansas Methodism.

Through her mother's family, Miss Vela was also connected to the Churchill, Ward, and Fallis families; another relative is Batesville attorney H. David Blair.

The Jernigan homeplace was located on Dota Creek, about twelve miles east of Batesville and two miles west of Charlotte, on the road leading from Batesville to Walnut Grove and Cord (Highway 25). The little village of Charlotte was a prosperous and lively community made up of a scattered collection of farm homes, two general stores, a post office, church, and school. The houses were made of lumber and stone from the surrounding countryside and had shake roofs. Most all had weathered into a grayish color. The schoolhouse stood at about the center of the town, and the church was located at the southern end in a large grove with a spring nearby. T. H. Weaver's store was across from the church grove; E. L. Jernigan's general store and post office was on up the road toward Walnut Grove.

The Jernigan home was a simple, unadorned frame structure, based on a traditional building form and containing nothing very remarkable in its several rooms. It was in the style commonly known as a "dog-trot." Two front rooms were side by side, connected by the "breezeway." There was a large fieldstone fireplace in each of these rooms. A dining room and kitchen adjoined the eastern front room, the family living room, forming an ell. There was also a small multi-purpose room in back of the western front room, which was a bedroom. Centering the front facade was a covered porch supported by four columns. A driveway ran the entire length of the front yard, separated from the yard by a picket fence. A gate opened from the fence, and a gravel walk led to the front porch.

East of the house was a barn with two storage bays and animal enclosures on either side of a central runway where the family wagon and buggy were parked when not in use. Other outbuildings included a smokehouse, privy, chicken house, and combination well house and shop. The family garden was located behind the house.

It was to commemorate the happy years spent with her family in this home that Miss Vela began her journal. She entitled it "Miss Vela: Her Own Story," writing simply to preserve the record of her family as well as her own life and times. Throughout the journal as published here, the remembrances, stories, reflections, and commentaries of members of the family and others have been added, at appropriate places, to enhance the story.

The journal of Vela Jernigan begins:

I was born October 30, 1888, two miles west of the little village of Charlotte, Arkansas, on the Jernigan homestead. My mother, Savannah Moody Jernigan, and my father, William Moore Jernigan, were all anyone could wish for in parents. I was the youngest of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Mother's first born, Moody, died in infancy. Elbert, Allie, George (called "Buster"), Will, Eudola (who died in infancy), Winfield, and I constituted the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Jernigan.

I attended school at Charlotte, my first teacher being John Blair. I was in a class by myself as Dad bought the wrong kind of reader. I didn't attend much as I was not quite six years old. My first real school and teacher were something very important in my life. My teacher, Mrs. A. P. Yates, was an unusual one for a country school at that time. She taught me to read from a chart. She not only taught three R's but many things we needed to know. She was a leader in that community such as it has never known since. She prepared programs for the literary society, selected readings, songs, and other numbers, and trained those taking part. She was also quite active in the church as organist and teacher. Mr. J. K. Rawlings and Mr. Ira Pickens were other teachers I had at Charlotte.

I could not begin to recount all of the happy occasions in our old home all through the years. Our home was always open to guests. Many happy times were enjoyed on August 12, the birthday of Mother and Dad. Mother would always cook good food, keep her house, sew and clothe her children, and go to church two miles away and take home with her loads of company... Her life was an endless round of activity.

On the whole, the children's life on the farm was not altogether harsh. They went to school, did their chores, and played with their Jernigan cousins and others. They grew up with the usual interests of rural youth--for the girls, learning the skills of homemaking, and for the boys it was hunting, fishing, riding, and coming to know nature and farming first hand.

There was lots to do on the farm. Chores began early in the morning and continued late in the day. One of the boys had to tend to the milking. Others had to keep the wood box filled for the cookstove and fireplaces. Livestock had to be fed and cared for. The house, fences, tools, and barn were frequently in need of some sort of repair. As the boys grew older, they had to assume more responsibilities with the crops. The girls helped with the household chores. Homemaking involved a multiplicity of onerous and endless tasks for women. Their work included not only cooking, washing, cleaning, and nursing, but also spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, quilting, soap making, tending livestock, and looking after the garden and orchard. All of the family worked in the planting, cultivating and gathering of the produce of the garden and in putting it up for the winter.

The children had to do their chores and get their homework done before supper so the family could share a time together. Almost every night, after the supper dishes had been washed and the table set for breakfast the next morning, the family would gather around the fireplace in the front room in winter or on the back porch in summer to relax, have fun, and share some quality time together.

It was a constant battle to wrest a livelihood from the land, but the warm security of this home enabled the family to overcome all obstacles. "The important thing," Miss Vela recalled, "was that we had the family and our strengths and pleasures. Dad could always drive our cares away, and Mother taught us from books and trained us in our manners and in the way we should go. Life was not easy then. Nevertheless, we had a good life and manage we did with courage and perseverance and a great good humor and outlook through it all."

This is also the way Willene Jernigan McKennon remembers the carefree days she spent in the Jernigan home during her early childhood. Willene was a cousin, the daughter of Rev. James F. Jernigan; following her mother's death she went to live for a while with her Aunt "Ban" and Uncle Will at Charlotte.

Miss Vela's journal continues:

My early education was secured at Charlotte. In the fall of 1904 I went to school at Sulphur Rock. [Brother] Will was teaching, so he, Winfield and I kept house (if you could call it housekeeping) in a three-room house across the road from the school. It was a cold, cold winter. I cooked on a wood stove--made biscuits every morning and went home at 11:30 to fix lunch. Of course Mother and Dad kept our pantry well stocked. Those were happy days even thought we had none of the comforts and conveniences that we have today. We began the second year, I took typhoid fever soon after opening and lost several weeks from school. After Christmas, Will began teaching at Moorefield, so few paying HS pupils were in our school. I boarded the rest of the term and Winfield taught. I began the next year but quit in three months to begin teaching at Walnut Grove. Money was scarce. I taught two short terms at Walnut Grove and two at Charlotte. My first one was at Charlotte in the summer of 1905.

In the fall of 1907 I entered Arkansas College and stayed with Aunt Julia Harrington. I went three years, but part of my work was preparatory.

On March 29, 1911, Beryl Ward and I were driving up Main Street going on a picnic and as we were passing a parked auto, the owner cranked the car which scared the young horse. Beryl was driving and [the horse] began running. As men would try to stop the horse, he would swerve to the opposite side of the street until he hit something and turned the buggy over. I fell onto the curb and Beryl into the street. I had a broken jaw in two places and both bones in my right limb above the ankle. Beryl was uninjured. I was taken into the home of Mrs. Ella Barnwell [located on the NE corner of Fifth and Main Streets, now a vacant lot], then to Dr. Gray's hospital in the old Presbyterian Church, where Crouch's store was later erected (now the site of the Pioneer General Store on the NE corner of Fourth and Main]. Dr. Patliff [?] was called and he made gold braces to put on four teeth on either side of the worst break, and my jaws were wired together for several weeks. Dr. [Wash?] Ball and Dr. [Frank] Gray set my limbs. I suffered agony. After a week I was moved to the home of Mother's sister, Aunt Margaret Ward, and remained there till May 1st. I took some time to recover from these breaks.

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From the Batesville Guard of March 31, 1911:

About 2 o'clock this afternoon a most serious runaway accident occurred on Main Street in Batesville in which Miss Vela Jernigan of Sulphur Rock, who was visiting in the city, the guest of the family of Will Ward, deputy circuit clerk, was seriously injured.

Miss Jernigan was driving with Miss Beryl Ward up Main Street and the routing car belonging to W. A. Rutherford was standing in front of the Lewis Hardware Co. The horse in passing became frightened and ran up Main Street at a terrific clip. In front of the J. J. Barnwell residence a buggy was standing hitched and the runaway ran into this buggy. Both buggies were overturned and the two young ladies were thrown out. Miss Jernigan was thrown against the curb and sustained a fractured jaw, broken leg and perhaps other injuries which have not been discovered. She was hurried to the sanitarium of Dr. F. A. Gray, which was luckily only a block distant from the scene of the accident, and received immediate attention.

Miss Ward was uninjured with the exception of severe jolting occasioned by the fall of the buggy.

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The journal continues:

In September of that year (1911) I began teaching in Batesville. I taught the second gade and part of the third. The next year I was given the fifth grade which I taught two years, then the seventh one year, and then High School where I taught history till the fall of 1917. I resigned and stayed home with Mother and Dad and taught at Charlotte. This winter was a real one. We had sub-zero weather so much of the time. Twice school was dismissed. Snow 18 inches deep came early in December and again early in January. I enjoyed being snowbound, and we were for one week. No mail, no passing, and no telephone. Mother, Dad and I had a good time though -- 21 below zero.

Early in the spring Mr. Pickens called me and asked me to come back to Batesville High School in the fall and I did. I taught ninth grade civics and eleventh grade American History until the fall of 1926 when I dropped out to go to Arkansas College and finish my requirements for an A. B. degree. I had earned some credits during summer terms in Peabody College, Nashville, Tennessee, and the University of Arkansas, and practice teaching in Batesville High School. I graduated in June 1927 and again Mr. Pickens asked me to return to Batesville High School, which I did and I taught Civics and American History. The next year I began teaching American Government, which I taught until I retired.

Other subjects I taught before my retirement in 1953 were Economics, Personal and Social Adjustment, Commercial Law, Psychology, and Mechanical Drawing. While my love was Government, I liked to try new things and had success. I worked up and taught for four years a course in Vocational Guidance. It was so interesting and helpful. We had speakers from different vocations and made a trip each year. Once to Little Rock where we visited the General Assembly, Little Rock [Central] Senior High School, the Gazette offices and plant, and two or three other places of interest. Two years we went to Memphis and went through the Ford Assembly Plant, visited the Pink Palace, Overton Park, the Commercial Appeal, and the stores. The fourth year all were too poor, so we went to Blanchard Springs for a picnic. That year the seniors had to pay tuition.

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Paul Buchanan had this to say about Miss Vela's teaching in an article he wrote for the August 27, 1951 Batesville Guard:

"The biggest part of my pay is the friendships I've made." That simple, sincere statement could sum up the careers of many underpaid Arkansas school teachers who have given the better portion of their lives in the advancement of education. But who would be better qualified to say it than Miss Vela Jernigan, who in her 38 years of teaching in the Batesville public school system, has won the admiration of thousands with a down-to-earth warmth and an undefinable characteristic that causes all her students to like her.

Likeability, however, is only one of the attributes that makes Miss Vela a valuable asset to Batesville High School and the community. She is considered one of the best government teachers in Arkansas and possesses a notable versatility in other activities and hobbies.

While most women her age are practically in a retired status, Miss Vela is remarkably young, and is too busy to let Father Time get within shouting distance. Not only is she a vigorous worker in the First Methodist Church, she is a member of several clubs, is regarded as a fluent after-dinner speaker, has a flair for writing good poetry, and can sing well.

One look at the inside of her home on Eighth Street -- just across from the high school -- is enough to convince you that Miss Vela is an interior decorator of no mean ability. Fact is, she considered making it her vocation at one time. And to go right along with that decorative art, she is adept at needlework -- as testified by some beautiful hooked rugs adorning the floor of her living room -- goes in for painting figurines, and takes a liking to refinishing antique furniture.

Miss Vela also reflects a creativeness in her school work. Some 12 years ago, she saw the need of a mechanical drawing class in Batesville High. And, although she knew practically nothing about the subject in the beginning, she studied and learned it and then inaugurated a class. Teaching mechanical drawing, she says, has been a highlight in her long teaching tenure. One of her former students, who became an engineer -- Billy Van Ward -- said that the drawing class was one of the few courses in high school that proved beneficial in later years.

Known to be the top student in government when she attended Arkansas College, Miss Vela says pupils nowadays don't show as much interest in government as those of years gone by. Though, it could hardly be said that this fact reflects on the teacher. For her classes are lively and stimulating -- a mirror of her ever-youthful attitude. The trips of her government classes to Little Rock and Memphis are always an event looked forward to by students and long-remembered by alumni.

Miss Vela is not quite ready to retire from teaching -- maybe in a couple of years. But whenever she does close the books on her career, thousands of former students will pause for a brief reminiscence and say: "Grand lady and great teacher -- one of the best."

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Returning to Miss Vela's Journal:

When I retired in 1953, I had taught 43 years in the County and 40 of them in Batesville schools, but when I wrote the board my letter resigning I didn't even get a reply. I was hurt that they didn't write me a nice letter of appreciation. Such is life.

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An article in the Batesville News Review, dated May 21, 1953, did carry the announcement of Miss Vela's retirement. After reviewing her long and distinguished career, the article continued:

On being asked about the changes in fashions during her teaching tenure, Miss Vela laughed and said there was quite a difference now. She went through the era of middy blouses, pleated skirts, button shoes, cotton stockings, and three-yard hair ribbons, the torrid twenties, the long tight skirts, and the extremely short tight skirts. She says the styles for the past ten years are more to her liking, the cute blouses, sweaters, colorful skirts, scarfs and flowers, and last, but not least--the dirty saddles on the girls' dainty feet. Boys, too, changed their fashions and she likes the tee shirts, sport shirts, good looking slacks, and blue jeans are not bad either, along with burr haircuts.

Miss Vela says she is not retiring on account of the raise in teacher salaries -- she laughingly stated that she believed she would be able to handle the money, for in her years of teaching the salary had not been fabulous.

Miss Vela says it may seem a little unusual at first, not to be going to school every day, but she thinks it's time for her to devote some time to her most loved hobby -- that of designing and making things with her hands. She plans to open a gift shop in her home.

Miss Vela says she has made many friends and has had lots of fun in her career and the wonderful part of it is that all of the students hate to see her leave, which is a real record.

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Paul Buchanan expressed the feelings of many in the community when he wrote in the Batesville Guard:

Miss Vela Jernigan, who will close the books on her career at the end of the term, has served long and well in the great -- but often unappreciated -- teaching profession. The good that she has done -- her accomplishments, her triumphs, her contributions to mankind -- cannot be measured in a tangible way. For, like all educators, her mission was to teach, direct and influence our young people so that they would be better equipped to meet the challenges, obstacles and problems of life.

Miss Vela has applied herself conscientiously and faithfully to that mission for 43 years. That in itself is a shining tribute to her, and a proud reflection on the profession. Such noble service merits the admiration and gratitude of the entire community... A million thanks, Miss Vela. May your new enterprise be a success, and may your remaining life be filled with happiness.

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In a box of old pictures and memorabilia, Miss Vela kept the many notes and letters she had received over the years from former students. Excerpts from some of these letters follow:

May 26, 1922

Dear Miss Vela,

Just a few lines to let you know how much I appreciate your handkerchief and note. I believe the two are the most valued of my presents. I value the handkerchief because you made it, and the note because of what you said in it. Through my four years of high school you have always been my 'favorite,' though perhaps you did not think so sometimes. My greatest regret, or rather the reason why I regret leaving High School is that I will not have you and Mr. Pickens as my teachers. I hope thought that you will always be my friend.

Sincerely yours,

Harry Maxfield

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May 17, 1953

Dear Miss Vela,

I imagine mine is just one of many messages you are receiving as you wind up such a wonderful record of years of teaching -- but I do want you to know that I, too, appreciate what you have done and will continue to do for our community.

You have not only been a good teacher, but you have kept your sense of humor and your love of beauty -- and your good sportsmanship! Who but you would have been willing to take that trip to Petit Jean, with all that gang, in all that weather. But I'm sure I'm not the only mother who breathed a sigh of relief and thought gratefully, 'Things will be all right with Miss Vela along!'

I think it is fine that all through your career of teaching you have kept your other interests up, so that now you can leave off your arduous work and do those pretty things that are fun for your clever brain and fingers. Here's wishing you great success. I am really for you.

Sincerely yours,

Mary F. Spragins

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February 28, 1952

Dear Miss Vela,

When I heard you were retiring, I especially wanted to tell you how much your influence had meant to me. It was in your classes that my interest in the social services was first aroused. As you know, I majored in them in college and later taught history. That interest still affords me great pleasure.

We have four lovely children, all of whom are in school. I can only hope that they will be fortunate enough to be associated with a few teachers like you and their education will have been a success. Thank you for your life. It has meant a great deal to me.

Sincerely,

Mary Elizabeth Hickerson Crow

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May 18, 1953

My dear Miss Vela,

You probably never realized it yourself, but you were sort of a 'hitching post' to me back then. You always seemed to be interested in me, a little bit more than you were in anyone else... A short time ago I was visiting with a contemporary friend and we got to discussing our school days. It turned out that there were two teachers who he and I both felt 'liked' us... you and Mr. Pickens had that knack, or love and devotion, that made ALL of us feel that for some reason you 'liked' us.

May I simply say thanks, Miss Vela, and may the coming years be blessed for you as your life has blessed others.

Most sincerely,

Marvin Wade

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Returning to her story, Miss Vela wrote:

During my teacher career I was active in school activities, always helping with 'Stunt Nights,' assembly programs, and attending basketball and football games. When we had Northeast Arkansas contests among schools, I helped with Glee Clubs and one year coached a boy and girl in extemporaneous speech. Both won in District meeting at Searcy. I led singing in Assembly after Fannie Hodge went West in 1924.

In 1936 I organized Senior High girls into a Federation with a small group of representatives from each grade. We had teas and receptions and for two years a Christmas party for all Senior Highs in the gym. When it burned we had to discontinue the Christmas party. For several years we had a Jr.-Sr. party in my back yard and everything was so pretty. I had many parties for small groups in my home and in my room at school. We went on picnics, fishing trips, and arranged picture show parties.

When our High School burned we had no auditorium, so the Girls' Federation could not meet, but the girls wanted to keep the small group so we called it the Girls Advisory Council, or GAC. We sponsored War Bond and Stamp sales during the war, knitted for Red Cross, and still had parties, teas, etc. We also put on scrap iron and paper drives and made a nice sum for the school.

While teaching I was honored by having an organization, 'Future Teachers of America,' named for me. Also the County Teachers selected me as their teacher and I appreciated both honors. My picture and a nice article in the Gazette told of the last award. This brought on a deluge of congratulatory notes and letters from former students, patrons, family, and friends. This was great!

Most of the time I was teaching, I sang in the choir of the First Methodist Church and taught a Sunday School class. I also was active in the Woman's Missionary Society, later called the W.S.C.S. When the Wesleyan Service Guild was organized, about 1940, the W.M.S. went into it. I have held office in both groups.

When the new Senior High building [in 1997 the Batesville Intermediate School] was erected, I taught one year in it -- I wasn't very happy -- I rode a bus and didn't feel too well, so I thought it best to bring my teaching career to a close. I did so in June '53 (however for two summers I had a large class in American Government taught in my home.)

On October 10, 1953, I opened a little gift shop in my home and called it 'Miss Vela's Gift Shop.' My brother, W. J. Jernigan and his son W. J., Jr., came up and helped me, and more than 100 people came during the day. Every year after that I have had a 'Fall Showing,' and many people look forward to it (so they say).

I attended gift shows in Memphis, Little Rock, Chicago, and Seattle -- I went to Seattle to visit a friend and while there in 1958 I attended a show and bought some beautiful merchandise.

Today is May 7, 1960. Now for some family history. I said earlier that Mother and Dad were wonderful and raised a pretty good family. None of my brothers or my sister became wealthy, money-wise or in a worldly sense, but they served in their various ways.

E. L. had three children, two boys and one girl (Floyd, Marvin, and Virginia). Most of his life was spent on a farm in the Charlotte-Walnut Grove area, where he began his farming with an oxen and made his last crop using a tractor. In addition to his farming operations, he at various period owned and operated a general store, a cotton gin, and a stave mill. He also served as Postmaster for several years at Walnut Grove. His main contribution was in the church at Charlotte, which he helped to establish and where he served as Superintendent of the Sunday School for years and years.

"Buster," George Washington Jernigan, had three sons (Ewell, Olin, and R. M.). He farmed on a place near Elbert's in Charlotte and late in life moved to Little Rock where his sons lived. He died at Little Rock in less than a year.

Allie had two sons, Roy and Herbert, and three daughters, Agnes, Effie, and Thelma. She was left to raise her five children after her husband was killed. She was a noble person.

Will, William James Jernigan, taught and for a long time was 4-H State Club Agent and was a great leader and molder of character. He lived and retired in Little Rock. His claim to fame is found in his lifetime leadership role in the 4-H movement which he initiated in the state in 1914, in the beginning days of the Extension Service. During his 32-1/2 years of service, total enrollment of Arkansas youth in 4-H clubs totaled 1,245,962 boys and girls, his reports show. He was married to Lucile Liphiew Tucker of Pine Bluff, and had two sons and a daughter -- W. J., Jr., John T., and Lucile.

Winfield taught some early in life, then worked as an officer in the bank at Newark. He had one daughter, Gwendolyn. In his later years he lived in Oklahoma City, where he worked for the government and died in 1954.

I've said enough about Vela, the youngest.

My father died at the age of 77 on November 27, 1924 -- a grand, good man. On March 27 of the following year I moved my mother to Batesville. It must have been hard for her to leave her home where she and Dad had lived more than fifty years. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary there in 1921. Mother and I lived in one of Mr. Maxfield's houses on upper Boswell for almost four years. Then I bought and had built a little cottage across from the school where I taught. We spent happy years together until January 14, 1941, when she passed away. She had been an invalid for nearly four years due to a stroke. She was so patient and sweet through it all. I nursed her at night and had someone with her during the day. The last year and a half a wonderful woman, Mrs. Priest, took care of her, and she was with me the night she passed away. I still miss her -- no one could have a finer, sweeter, and more devoted mother. Tomorrow is 'Mother's Day,' May 8, 1960.

On December 28, 1958, I had a severe attack of sciatic rheumatism. I suffered six weeks before I was sent to the hospital for X-ray and heat treatment. I stayed 11 days and returned home, and in a short time had another attack. This attack caused me to return to the hospital for 11 more days, and I was then sent to St. Vincent in Little Rock where an X-ray showed two discs out of place. I stayed there eight days. Dr. Richard Logue was my doctor and a wonderful one. I was fitted for a brace which I wore about one year. I still have a weak back, and Dr. Ketz says plenty of arthritis. I can't be active in church and community activities as I wish for, but I go all I can. I am still trying to keep my little shop, tho' 1960 was a bad year as it was in business everywhere. I make place cards and party favors. I enjoy doing hand work and hope I can keep that up as long as I live.

I must go back and recount some of the lovely trips I've had. If I could walk better, I would still go tripping!

First, when I went to school one summer in Knoxville, Tennessee, we had a trip to Asheville, NC. This was a train trip along the French Broad River. We drove through the Vanderbilt Estate and had dinner at the Grove Park Inn.

My next trip was with Bess Maxfield, when we went to New York in 1915. We went to Niagara Falls, across New York to Albany, down the Hudson on the "Washington Irving," a big boat. We spent almost a week in New York City sightseeing, then to Washington D.C. for a week. Mr. and Mrs. Oldfield were there, and we had lunch in their home. Mrs. Oldfield went with us to the White House so we saw more of it. We didn't get to see President Wilson -- a great disappointment. We then went to Cincinnati where I left Bess to visit. Having been gone three weeks, I came home.

In 1926, Florence, Lavonna J. and I went on an excursion to Denver -- R.R. ticket round trip about $25.00. We were gone two weeks. I went to Mt. Evans, Estes Park and the three of us to Pike's Peak. When Chicago had the World's Fair in about 1930, Blanche [Kennard] and I went for one week. I can't describe all we saw and did. In 1942 I, as president of the Arkansas College Alumni Association, was given a trip to Denton, Texas to an alumni meeting.

The next and wonderful trip was to Miami Beach to the National Education Association. Thelma [Pickens] and I went with a party from Little Rock on a chartered bus. The trip down was most enjoyable -- air-cooled bus, air conditioned rooms in the hotel and motel. We stayed in Miami Beach one week. The programs were fine, and meeting people from all over the united States was a wonderful experience. After one week we drove to Key West and most of the party boarded a plane for Havana. Thelma stayed in Key West with three others. It was my first plane trip (and I guess my last). I enjoyed our short stay in Cuba. We were gone two weeks on this trip.

My last trip was in 1958 when I went to Seattle to visit a friend. I enjoyed the trip going and coming on a wonderful train "Empire Builder" from Chicago. Zoda and I went by boat on Puget Sound to Victoria, British Columbia. This was wonderful -- we spent the night in the old and beautiful hotel, "The Empress." We took a city trip and the next day went to the famous Butchart Gardens. One day Zoda's son and his wife took us to Mt. Ranier, and her sister-in-law took us to the ocean. During this two-day trip we shopped, played cards, and went driving and to one big picnic. This was my last good, long trip and one I can remember the rest of my days.

I discontinued my story after 1958 when I had so much back trouble. Since then I've been unable to be very active in church or social life. I still belong to Wesleyan Service Guild and the Woman's Society of Christian Service, both organizations in the Methodist Church. I have been able to keep my membership in the Athena Study club and a little card club '600' played with Rook cards.

On April 5, 1966 I fell in my home and broke my left hip. My phone rang and I went to answer it and fell. I finally reached the phone and it was my wonderful friend and neighbor Mrs. John Milum (Marian). She came over and phoned Dr. Ketz, and the ambulance came for me: My hip was broken and I was sent by ambulance to the Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. Marian went with me. This was Tuesday, Dr. Shuffield set the hip on Friday, and I stayed in the hospital two weeks and one day. Marian came for me in the ambulance, and I was moved to Dr. Gray's Hospital in Batesville, where I remained more than six weeks. John Milum, Marian's husband, brought me a wheel chair loaned to me by Allie Crouch, and I used that until I secured a walker. Of course, I was confined to my home for some time. While I was in the hospitals my relatives and friends were so lovely to me. I shall never be able to thank them enough -- cards, over 200, gifts, flowers and food, and visitors, over 100. The nurses at Dr. Gray's were so efficient and kind. I shall always love them.

I spend a lot of lonely hours, but with TV and numerous magazines Marian brings me, I pass the time pretty well. I still do some hand work and try to do a good turn every day -- a card, telephone call, food to the colored women, letters, and once in a while take friends out to eat. I get much joy in doing a kind act, and somehow something happens that gives me a chance, like giving and trading stamps with Marian every Wednesday, and making place cards for a small luncheon.

Since Mother and I moved to Batesville in March 1925 (after Father's death in November 1924), I have had wonderful neighbors and have made many friends. We lived on Boswell Street and rented a house of Mr. Maxfield's nearly four years. Mrs. Addie Crow and her daughter Monnie lived next door, a Mrs. McGuire on the other side -- such good neighbors across the street, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Maxfield and Maxie and Bess. Bess was already a good friend and the Maxfield home was a second home for me. I lived there one year before Father's death, and it was one of the happiest years of my life. Bess and Maxie were away, Bess teaching and Maxie in college. Harry and Fred were at home.

When we moved to our new home at 435 7th Street, where I still live, we had good neighbors -- Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kennard, Mike and Blanche on one side, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd States and three children on the other side, Mr. and Mrs. H. Carpenter and big family back of us, Ida Ward, a cousin, and her niece Beryl, whom I dearly loved, live a half block down the street. Later the States moved and Boyce and Viola Evans bought their home. They have two girls, Sallye and Linda. Later Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter died and that home was sold. In a few years John and Marian Milum with two children moved there and since then two other boys were born. Their children are John, Jr., Becky, Bill, and James. They are just like my own family. Marian does so much for me, and we borrow back and forth. Anything I have she knows she can borrow and I don't hesitate to call her if I'm in need. Her children are so good to me. Now living at 409 7th Street are the Magars, and they are good neighbors also.

I have many wonderful friends--Abbie Arnold, Pansy McNealy, Lillian Phillips, Ruth Johnston, Minnie Stokes, Bertha Menard, Tommie Peyton, Clara McGill (a cousin), Leah Stokes, Ophelia Potter, and others, all of whom live in Batesville. Blanche [Kennard] and I have been good friends a long time and neighbors many years. Lorene Jernigan, a cousin, and many more friends. Ruth McClendon, L. [Louise] Kennard.

November 1, 1968. My dear friend and neighbor Blanche Kennard passed away one month ago on October 1. I miss her so very much. Her empty house brings tears when I look at it. We have been friends and neighbors for over 40 years.

The summer of 1969 has been very pleasant as far as social events are concerned. The weather has been hot and still is on July 7. On June 1 the B. H. S. graduating class of 1929 had a reunion at the Country Club. I saw so many who seemed glad to see me. I led them in singing a chorus we used to sing, 'Look for a Silver Lining.' They seemed to enjoy it, and I read a poem I had written for them.

On June 4 my Athena Club had the final luncheon, and I was one of the hostesses. On June 5 I went to a big announcement party for Carolyn Stokes at the Club. On June 6 the B. H. S. class of 1924 had a luncheon at Kelly's, and it was enjoyable. A member sent money for corsages for the teachers -- Thelma [Pickens], Mary Spragins, and me. We later went to John Morrow's for reminiscing, and had our picture made. On July 5 the B. H. S. class of 1949 had a reunion. They met at 10:00 a.m. for coffee and visiting and at 6:00 p.m. a banquet. Such a good time and many members there. Six states were represented. I do enjoy seeing those former students, and I relive many of those days.

I go to my '600' club once or twice a month and church circle every month. My hearing is not so good, and I hear the church service on Sunday over the radio.

I've had my house painted this July, 1969.

___________________________________________

Miss Vela died peacefully in her sleep on March 19, 1971.

In a brief ceremony held in the main reading room of the White River Regional Library on April 7, 1973, a memorial was established honoring Miss Vela Jernigan. W. J. Jernigan, Jr., of Little Rock, a nephew, at that time turned over his Arkansiana collection to the library as a memorial to his aunt. Mrs. W. J. Jernigan, Sr., Mrs. W. J. Jernigan, Jr., and Mrs. Thomas T. Ramsey, a niece, along with a host of Miss Vela's friends, joined him for the presentation.

The collection, consisting of around 200 volumes, was made up of books by Arkansas authors and books about Arkansas, including all the principal historical references and several rare collectors' items. A luncheon at the Batesville Country Club followed the presentation.

Mr. Jernigan expressed thanks to Mrs. Terry Griffith [Powell] for making this the lovely occasion that it was. He said that the library's acceptance of the collection assured the success of the project, and that he was grateful for the opportunity thus afforded the family of establishing a living, growing and lasting memorial to his aunt.

APPENDIX

Miss Vela's grandparents, as found in the 1860 census of Independence County.

Gainsboro Township

#865/854

MOODY, William E. 43 farmer TN

Amelia 27 LA Moody's second wife?

Margaret J. 18 AR Married Lawson Ward, Paul & Duke her grandsons.

Louisa 16 AR

Sarah 14 AR Married Dick Fallis. Lois Barnett a descendant.

Julia 12 AR Married Wash Herrington.

Savannah 7 AR Married W. M. Jernigan. Vela's parents.

William T. 5 AR

Moody's first wife and the mother of Savanah was Elizabeth Tunstall, daughter of the well-known Capt. Thomas Todd Tunstall. See "Of Race Horses and Steamboats: The Pride of Captain Thomas Todd Tunstall" by Duane Huddleston, in the Chronicle, vol. XIV, No. 2, January 1973.

Black River Township

#1280/1269

JERNIGAN, W. H. 52 farmer TN Came to Arkansas from Wilson Co., Tennessee.

Dicey [Moore] 46 TN

Mary T. 18 TN

Thomas M. 16 TN

Martha J. 14 TN

William M. 12 TN

George W. 10 TN Father of Ben and W. T. Jernigan.

James F. 9 TN Became a well-known Methodist preacher.

L. C. (m) 6 TN

William Henry Jernigan, father of William M., was an ordained deacon and local preacher in the M. E. Church, South.

William M. Jernigan and Savannah Moody were married December 21, 1870. Their children were:

1. Moody Died in infancy.

2. Elbert Luther Married Minnie Sorrels. Father of Floyd Ray, William Marvin, and Virgia.

3. Alice Lou Married John K. Blair. Her children were Roy, Herbert, Agnes, Thelma, and Effie.

4. George W. Married Cleda Magness. Father of Ewell Magness, George Olin, and Robert Moore.

5. William James Married Lucile Tucker. Father of W. J., Jr., John Tucker, and Lucile.

6. Eudola Died in infancy.

7. Walter Winfield Married Nellie Churchill. Daughter Gwendolyn.

8. Vela

In 1996, W. J. Jernigan, Jr., is a retired lawyer and bank officer. His brother, John T. Jernigan, is retired chancellor and prosecuting attorney of the Sixth Judicial District. Both of them reside in Little Rock. Their sister, Lucile Jernigan Ramsey McCaskill is deceased.

Another Jernigan descendant is George O. Jernigan, Jr., a grandson of George W. He is a Little Rock attorney, former Arkansas secretary of state (1975-77), and former chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party. He also owns and maintains his grandfather's farm near Charlotte. Besides David Blair, other local descendants are J. W. and Alvis Ball, sons of Effie Jernigan Ball, and Bill Woodyard, son of Thelma Jernigan Woodyard