Teddy E. Jernigan, 78, of Dawsonville, died June 3, 2014.

Born in Birmingham, Ala. in 1935, Teddy was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Smith and Jessie Lee Nora Jernigan.

Ted joined the Navy in 1952 at the age of 17 and served for 21 years, including serving in the Korean War before retiring.

While stationed in Rhode Island in 1954, he met his wife Pamela Mae Jernigan, nee Gregoire.

Ted and Pam had four children together.

Ted was a nature-lover and outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and being in and on the water, particularly in the mountains.

He is best remembered as a witty man who never met a stranger, and who was happiest when he was making people laugh.

His son, Terry John Jernigan preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Pam; children, Leslie Parker, Thomas Jernigan and Susan Iles; five grandchildren, Terry Dana Parker, Amanda Nicole Fletcher, Robert Parker, Kristen Iles and Brittany Iles; three great-grandchildren, Michael Fletcher Jr., Charlette Ducharme, Benjamin Ducharme; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. June 6 in the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Phillip Martin officiating. Interment followed in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.