It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Allen Mack Jernigan. of Douglas, Georgia on October 29, 2023. Allen was born March 24, 1941, in Douglas, Georgia to Mack Leon Jernigan and Ivylyn Moorman Jernigan. Allen is preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles and a niece Melissa Garay.
While still in high school, Allen met the love of his life, Peggy Harper. After dating for one month, they ran off to Pearson, Georgia and eloped. Being still in high school they did not tell their parents or anyone else for three months. Dad later got in trouble with his mother, and he blurted out “You can’t put me on restriction, I am married!” They were married 64 years and still acted like newlyweds.
Allen attended one year of college before joining the Army National Guard and rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Allen spent his entire career working in the mobile home industry. He retired from Phillips Industries in Elkhart, Indiana in 2006 after serving as their National Service Manager for many years. During his career they lived in Americus, Ga, Birmingham, AL, Graham, NC, College Park, GA, and Fayetteville, GA, Douglas, GA, and Elkhart, IN. Allen and Peggy were both avid golfers and played in several golf leagues in Elkhart. After retirement, Allen restored their home in Douglas, traveling back and forth from their current home in Edwardsburg, Michigan to Douglas. Once the home was completed, they moved back to their homeplace.
Allen was a Master Mason and served as Grand Worshipful Master several times in the Douglas Masonic Club. He was a York Rite and Scottish Rite Mason. Allen joined the Shriners around 1970 becoming a member of Al Sihah Temple. When he was transferred to Peachtree City, he joined Yaarab Shrine Temple and was a member of the Potentate’s Divan. When he moved back to Douglas, he was a member of the Douglas Shrine club and Hasan Temple. Allen was a member of the Douglas Hobos and performed as a clown for many children. He has also been a member of the Ben Hill Hillbillies and the Tifton Shrine Club. He achieved his ultimate goal when he was made Potentate of Hasan Shrine Temple in 2013. Allen loved children and often entertained them while traveling, tying balloon animals for kids on his flights.
Allen was a great father to his two sons, Allen Mack Jr and Michael Ira. For years he volunteered to run a concesssion stand for all the home Coffee High Football games but made sure his stand faced the field so he could see the games. He was a huge Georgia Bulldog fan and we spent many years attending every home game and some away games. He enjoyed going to the Indy 500 each year with his son, Allen, and friends.
Allen is survived by his wife, Peggy, his sons Allen Mack Jr. (Tara) and his son Michael Ira (Denise). His four grandchildren, Elisabeth Stadele (Kyle), Emily Schuebert (Greyson), Elijah Jernigan, and Mckenzie Jernigan, one great grandson, Emerson Schuebert, his sister, Susan Griffin, his sister-in-laws, Kathryn Griffin and Judy Kight and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on November 11, 2023 at Mt. Union Primitive Baptist Church with visitation at 10:00 am and service to be held at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers the family recommends donations to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Scottish Rite Hospital.
Sims Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.