Della Carolyn Lee Jernigan, age 93, of Sparta, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Carolyn was born October 26, 1932, in Sparta, TN to the late John Thomas and Frances Pearson Lee. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Charles Patrick (Pat), and her siblings, Josephine Lee Overall and John Thomas (Johnny) Lee.

She was born and raised in the Bear Cove community on the Lee Farm, where she and her husband built their life and raised their children. Now known as the Lee-Jernigan farm, it is a Tennessee century farm that has been in her family since 1896.

Carolyn loved her family. She and her husband, Billy Howard (Bill) Jernigan, shared more than 72 years together. Family was her top priority throughout her life and she selflessly put the needs of others before her own. She taught her children and her grandson to do the right thing and be good to others. She raised her family in church and made sure they understood her devotion to God.

Carolyn graduated from White County High School in 1950. She attended Ward-Belmont College in Nashville and then graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute in Cookeville in 1954. She moved to Chattanooga to begin her career and taught just across the state line in Georgia, but soon she returned home to marry Bill. After returning home, her first position was at Hickory Valley School, and because she and Bill only had one car, she rode the school bus to work. She continued to teach in White County until their daughter, Janice, was born. She stayed home with her children and later in life returned to be a substitute teacher.

As Janice grew up, Carolyn loved playing bridge with her friends. She stayed busy with different bridge clubs in Sparta and surrounding areas. Janice remembers driving her mom to tournaments all over Tennessee. She once played in a tournament at Vanderbilt in which Bill Gates also competed. As she traveled to different tournaments, she set a goal to become a Life Master bridge player with the American Contract Bridge League. Being the competitive person she was, she achieved that goal and was awarded the Life Master Certificate in 2013.

Her grandson's fondest memory of his "Nanny" was that she dropped him off and picked him up from school daily. She would get him a chicken biscuit at KFC each morning, and they would play Monopoly in the living room after she picked him up from school.

If you knew Carolyn, you knew she absolutely loved to go to yard sales. She needed nothing, but loved to look and find a good deal. She drove herself to the Sparta Senior Center to play bingo, socialize, and have lunch. Her church had bingo once a month, and of course, she would be there too.

Carolyn was a member of the First Christian Church of Sparta. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a wonderful cook and loved to show off her talents and entertain her guests.

She is lovingly survived by her husband of 71 years, Bill; their daughter, Janice Heikkenen; their grandson, Dr. Eric Michael Heikkenen (fiancée Emily Clelland); and her brother, Charlie Lee (Kay). A host of nieces and nephews also survive.

The Jernigan family would like to express a special thank you to Gentivia Hospice, Christy Sims, Jessica Wheeler, Delecia Brewington, and Jada Peacher for their care during her illness.

Hunter Funeral Home has been entrusted with Carolyn's cremation and a Celebration of Life will be conducted 2:00pm on June 7, 2026 at the First Christian Church in Sparta, TN. The family will receive friends after 1:00pm on the 7th at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to donate to the Youth Fund at First Christian Church, 109 Gaines St., Sparta, TN 38583.