Frances Nell Hook Jernigan

Frances Nell Hook Jernigan, age 89, of Little Rock, died Monday, April 24, 2023. A native of Batesville, AR, she was the daughter of the late Vernon Anthony and Dula Mariah Wood Hook.

An honor graduate of the University of Arkansas, she served as president of Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, was a member of Mortarboard, “Who’s Who”, Sigma Delta Pi, Lambda Iota Tau, and Kappa Delta Pi honor societies and served as Chairman of the Student Elections Committee. Frances taught in the Fort Smith and Little Rock Public School Systems. Her continued interest in her sorority led her to serve as president of the Fort Smith, Wichita, Kansas, and Little Rock Zeta Alumnae and she was recognized with Zeta’s Alumnae Certificate of Merit.

A seventh generation Arkansan and a historian, she was proud of her heritage. She was a descendant of three families who were settlers of Arkansas Territory. Earlier ancestors were settlers of the Colonial New England and Jamestowne. She was a sixty-year member and past regent of Gilbert Marshall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was a member of Arkansas Pioneers, United Daughters of the Confederacy, United Daughters of 1812, Daughters of the American Colonists, Colonial Dames of America, Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century, American Descendants of House of Burgesses, Jamestowne Society and Magna Charta Dames, past president of the Civil War Round Table. She was a life member of the Arkansas Historical Association, a member of the Arkansas United Methodist Historical Society, Arkansas Genealogical Society, and Friends of the Old State House.

She was a Golden Girl of Chapter I of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Little Rock Departmental Club, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and the Colony West Garden Club. Her love of reading led to membership in several book clubs. A member of St. James United Methodist Church since 1971, she had served on the official board, chaired the Archives Committee, was a life member of the United Methodist Women, a member of the Agape Sunday School Class, Joy Circle, Prayer Shawl Ministry, and the “Lunch Bunch.”

Having enjoyed being a Girl Scout, she was a group Leader for her daughters’ Bluebirds, Campfire Girls, and Girl Scouts. She also served as a Cub Scout Den Mother.

Preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, A. Keith Jernigan; son, Mark Jernigan; daughter-in-law, Analise Jernigan; and her sister, M. Julia Hook. Survived by her daughters, Cindi Maddox (Dr. Randy), Liz Switzer (Steve), and son, David Jernigan (Stefanie). Known affectionately as “Coco” to her grandchildren, she is survived by Scott Jernigan, Blake Jernigan, Dr. Peyton Maddox (Paige), Harrison Maddox, Claire Maddox, Michael Switzer, Catherine Switzer, Lex Blevins, David Jernigan, Emily Jernigan, Andrew Jernigan, and great grandson Redford Maddox. She is survived by her brother, Robert Hook (Sally); as well as nephews, James Hook  Kateena), Thomas Hook (Lisa); niece, Ashely Bennett Sigmund (Benjamin); as well as many great nieces.

The family would like to thank Dr. Angela Driskill, Hospice Home Care, and the staff of the House of Three for their unwavering care and support.

A memorial service with visitation to follow will be held Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, LR. Private interment will be at Oakland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. James Endowment Fund or a charity of your choice.