Matthew Jernigan, age 17, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2014 as the result of a boating accident on Lake Seminole.

Funeral services for Matthew will be held on Saturday, Jan.11, 2014 at 3:00 PM at the Southwest Georgia Academy Baseball Field in Damascus, Ga., weather permitting. If the weather does not permit, then the services will be held in the Southwest Georgia Academy Gymnasium.

Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery in Donalsonville, Ga. with Rev. Garth Duke-Barton officiating.  Active pallbearers will be Matthew’s baseball coaches, Brooke Richards, Mitch Pittman, Holt Floyd, Greg Whittaker, Max Evans, Kenny Wesley, Chris Johnson, Robert Bradford, Ben Nobles, and Brian Harrell. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be members of the Southwest Georgia Academy Class of 2015. Visitation will be held on Friday evening, Jan. 10, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. at the Friendship United Methodist Church in Donalsonville.

Matthew was born Dec. 20, 1996 to Alex Jernigan and Lori Bindley Jernigan in Dothan, Ala.  From a young age, Matthew developed and displayed a true love for sports. He was fortunate to be a part of a team out of Malone, Fla. that made it to the Dixie Youth District Championship for three straight years. Two of those years the team finished third in the state of Florida.

Matthew was a member of the Junior Class of Southwest Georgia Academy in Damascus.  He was active in his school’s activities, having been a member of the baseball team his 9^th and 10^th grade years playing pitcher, shortstop, second base, and third base.  Matthew was named to the all-region team his 10^th grade year.  During the summer of 2012, Matthew was chosen as a member of the BCS 15U All Tournament Team for hitting, as well as the WWBA 15U All Tournament Team for hitting and pitching.  His junior year, he had played defensive end on the Warrior football team and forward for the basketball Warriors.  Matthew was also a member of several clubs at SGA, including the Beta Club, HANDS, and the Student Council. He was also a member of Friendship United Methodist Church where he was active in the youth program.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lori Bindley Jernigan; his paternal great grandparents, Roy Alexander and Lonnie and Helen Jernigan.

Matthew leaves to cherish his memory, his parents, Alex and Nancy Jernigan of Donalsonville; his paternal grandparents, Jim and India Jernigan of Donalsonville; his maternal grandmother, Mattie Lou Bindley of Donalsonville; his paternal great grandmother, Elizabeth Alexander of Donalsonville; two sisters, Erin and Emily Simmerock of Athens, Ga.; and a brother, Lenton Jernigan of Donalsonville.  He is also survived by his uncle and aunt, Trowell and Jan Jernigan of Bogart, Ga.; as well as, cousins, Tate and Seth Jernigan of Bogart. Matthew also leaves numerous other family members and friends.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the SGA Baseball Team c/o Southwest Georgia Academy 14105 GA Hwy 200 Damascus, GA 39841.

Evans-Skipper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.