Debbie Jernigan, 73, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2024, at her home in Carthage. Deborah Ann Dorsey was born on July 4, 1950, in Longview, TX to the late Roy C. and Inez Kuykendall Dorsey. She graduated from Longview High School with the Class of 1968, and attended Kilgore College. While at Kilgore, she worked at Southwestern Bell. Debbie transferred to S.F.A. where she earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Elementary Education. She married Denny Mack Jernigan on June 5, 1976, in Longview. Debbie began her teaching career in Longview and moved to Carthage in 1977, where she taught and later worked as a teacher's aide for over 40 years total until her retirement. Debbie was active in the community having been a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, volunteered at the Thrift Shop and served as past President and Secretary of the Service League. She also was a longtime member and past President of the CHS Band Boosters, was a member of the Retired Teachers Assn., and served on the Rehobeth Cemetery Assn. Board. Debbie enjoyed traveling in her spare time. She was a devoted member of the First Methodist Church in Carthage where she attended the Good Samaritan Sunday School Class and was a member of Women of Faith. Debbie was also preceded in death by her aunt, Lois Mann.

She is survived by her husband, Denny Jernigan; daughters, Denise Jernigan Ziegler and husband Michael and Amy Jernigan; grandchildren, Molly Kate Ziegler and Preston Alexander Ziegler; sister-in-law, Pat Moon and husband James; brother-in-law, Don Knight; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kevin Otto officiating. Interment will follow in Rehobeth Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Trent Moon, Brad Moon, Roy Knight, Bryan Stacy, David Johnson, and Phil Grimes.

Honorary pallbearers are Dennis Dorsey, Steve Barker, and Danny Selman.

Memorials may be made to the First Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, TX 75633 or Rehobeth Cemetery Assn., P.O. Box 60, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.