Betty Diane Jernigan

Betty Diane Jernigan was born in Bells, Tennessee on November 3, 1949.  She was the daughter of R.C. Jernigan and Willie Geneva Gilmer Jernigan.

She departed this life at her home in Caruthersville, Missouri, on December 22, 2025.  She was 76 years old.

Diane graduated from Cooter High School.  After high school, she had planned to attend college but instead went to work at First State Bank in Caruthersville.  She was a dedicated employee for 51 years.  During her time at the bank, she worked in many positions.  When she was a teller, you always knew her line of customers would be the longest because they trusted her to always get everything right and that she would help them with any problem.  She was the supervisor of the centralized loan administration department when she retired. 

Diane loved animals including the many dogs and cats she had.  During her younger years she enjoyed riding horses. 

She loved her family and also her friends.

She is survived by one brother: Calvin Jernigan and his wife, Patsy; two nephews: Robert & Jimmy and his wife, Kristin; two nieces: Catherine & Sandra and her husband, Donnie; a great nephew: Eli; two great nieces: Grace & Clara; and many other relatives, her First State Bank work family, and many dear friends in Caruthersville.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-- Bobby and his wife, Nelda Taylor Jernigan.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the H. S. Funeral Chapel with Reverend Kenny Lee officiating.  Interment will follow in Mitchell Number 8 Cemetery in Cooter, Missouri.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please give memorials to Caruthersville Humane Society. 

H.S. Smith Funeral Home in charge of services.

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