On Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, the General Henry William Harrington Chapter, NSDAR held a solemn and heartfelt grave-marking ceremony to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Norva Hawley Jernigan, a beloved past regent and charter member of the chapter.
The ceremony, held in Hamlet, North Carolina, paid tribute to Mrs. Jernigan’s enduring dedication to the historic, educational, and patriotic objectives of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
“This grave marker, approved by the National Society, stands as a tangible tribute to Norva’s service,” said Melissa Wall, chapter regent. “But the true legacy she leaves behind is our continued commitment to excellence in all endeavors — just as she exemplified.”
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Mrs. Jernigan was posthumously awarded the Women in American History Award, a national DAR honor celebrating women whose lives have made a lasting impact on their communities.
Mrs. Jernigan’s legacy includes 30 years of service at the Hamlet Library, where she helped expand resources and led the construction of a new wing. She was a dedicated educator, interpreter for the deaf, and civic leader, serving on numerous committees and authoring local history books.
Her children, Diane Sudderth and Joey Jernigan, accepted the award and medal on her behalf, surrounded by chapter members and family.
