Born February 16, 1949 in Wolfe City, Texas to the late Mr. Alvin Jernigan Sr and Mrs Annie Mae Mack-Jernigan; Honor Graduate of George Washington Carver High School in Greenville, Texas; Attended East Texas State University (Texas A&M University) in Commerce, Texas and studied Commercial Art and English; Received an honorable mention award in a poetry contest at the University which lead to an interest in writing; Also attented El Centro Junior College in Dallas, Texas and received a Substitute Teachers Certificate (substitute teacher in Dallas ISD for a while). An involuntary rendezvous with breast cancer, led to inspirational writing and speaking to encourage others.