Betty Pickens Ferguson

by Lynn McMillen
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Betty Pickens Ferguson died Sunday, January 3rd in Murfreesboro, TN, surrounded by all three
of her children. A graveside service will be held at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens, Florence, AL,
on Saturday, January 9th at 1 p.m. A native of Florence, AL, Betty was the beloved only child of
the late Marvin and Louise Webb Pickens. Betty attended Coffee High School where she
enjoyed playing the clarinet in the marching band. In Florence, she met her husband Ben while
he was serving in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. They married in April 1958, and moved to
Mobile, AL, where Ben began working for International Paper Company. During their time in
Mobile, Betty and Ben had three children. As a young mother, Betty volunteered with
community outreach organizations, was a Cub Scout Den mother, served as room mother for her
children, and was a fervent supporter of her children’s and later her grandchildren’s endeavors.
She logged many a mile transporting her children to years of dance and piano lessons and other
school activities. Betty also enjoyed the camaraderie of friends while playing both tennis and
bridge.
With three young children, Betty returned to college and obtained a degree in accounting. She
then worked at Providence Hospital and later at Spring Hill College. In addition to living in
Mobile, AL, for over 25 years, Betty and Ben also lived in Wilton, CT, and Germantown, TN. In
2003, Betty and Ben relocated to Murfreesboro, TN, to be closer to one of their daughters and
her family. There, they found a second family at The First United Methodist Church and also
enjoyed traveling and entertaining family and friends. After Ben’s death in 2010, Betty continued
her love for their church, with one highlight being a trip to the Holy Land with her church group
and two daughters. She dearly loved her friends and neighbors. As a means of staying connected
with family and friends from near and far, Betty always enjoyed both short and lengthy
telephone conversations. For her, it truly was the next best thing to being there.
Betty is survived by her three children: Timothy Webb Ferguson (Susan) of Marion, AR, Lynn
Ferguson Guy (Arthur) of Raleigh, NC, and Sharon Ferguson Kolli (Dr. Murali) of
Murfreesboro, TN. Betty was also a grandmother to seven grandchildren: Meaghan Elizabeth
Harcey, Brittany Ferguson Huckleberry (Steven), Benjamin Lehr Ferguson, step-grandson
Robert McEver Thornton (Colin Jo), Ashley Ann Guy, William Crawford Guy, Sarada Kolli
Tilton (Kaleb), and Jhansi Uma Louise Kolli and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The First United Methodist
Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37129, or Alive Hospice, 1629 Williams
Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 27129. Elkins Funeral Home, 1535 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL
(256-764-0021) is assisting the family.

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