Mabel F. Tutor

MABEL CORRINE FERGUSON TUTOR, 99, of Memphis, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2015. She was born in Pontotoc County, MS to Bailey Floyd Ferguson and Ida August Tutor on August 2, 1915. Mrs. Tutor in choosing a profession chose a famous aim, "To help make the world a better place." A graduate of Blue Mountain College (Mississippi) and MSU (Memphis), Mrs. Tutor has engaged in many projects to further this aim. On March 24, 1964, she was in "The Spotlight" of The Whitehaven News for inaugurating a Summer Kindergarten Program to help underprivileged children. In 1974 the Principal of Levi Elementary School, nominated Mrs. Tutor as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America, and she was awarded a certificate as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of elementary education and service to the community. On April 12, 1980, Mrs. Mabel Ferguson Tutor was elected President of the Blue Mountain College Alumnae Association. In celebration of The International Year of the Child, she wrote and produced "Hello World, Here I come." Mrs. Tutor was listed in Marcus' Who's Who of American Women in 1974-1975 and received a Certificate of Merit from Memphis Rotary Club in recognition of her selection as Winchester Elementary School Teacher of the Month for January, 1980, and one from Whitehaven Baptist Church in recognition of her devoted service. She served as Local President, County President and State President for the Shelby County Baptist Business Women's Federation and a member of the "Women on Missions", the Hallelujah Chorus and the Baptist Hospital Auxiliary. After 34 years of teaching in the Memphis City School System and seven years in Mississippi schools, Mrs. Tutor was still teaching, by way of, the Adult Ladies Sunday School class at the Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown, TN. “Years and years and years ago, I said I was going to follow Jesus” shared Germantown Baptist Church member, Mabel Tutor. “I wanted the Holy Spirit to illuminate me so that everybody would see Christ in me.” That desire describes the legacy of Mrs. Tutor. From humble beginnings in north Mississippi, she impacted countless lives by teaching school – from kindergarten to high school – for 43 years and by teaching the Word of God. She volunteered at the Church Health Center once a month, made regular nursing home visits, and served with the Women’s Auxiliary for Baptist Hospital. “Mrs. Tutor was such an inspiration to everyone who knew her,” notes GBC member and friend, Linda Johnson. “She was such a fine Christian lady with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Every Sunday morning people of all ages lined up to speak to her. Her warm hugs and cheerful smile surpassed all others. It was the outward manifestation of her Christian spirit.” Shortly after the Great depression, Mrs. Tutor enrolled in Blue Mountain College in Blue Mountain, Mississippi. Established in 1873 as a Baptist college for women, Blue Mountain College became co-educational. Because times were hard and money was tight, Mrs. Tutor was only able to attend the college for a short period and earn her teaching degree. More than 30 years later, however, her determination drew her back to Blue Mountain, and in 1973 she earned her college degree. She was honored by the Blue Mountain National Alumnae Association and was named 2006 Alumna of the Year. A graduate of Blue Mountain College, past president of the Alumnae Association, and current member of the Board of Trustees, Linda Johnson nominated Mrs. Tutor of this honor and presented the award to her. “Mrs. Tutor had the best spirit and such a positive outlook on life,” Linda shared. “She told me that she tried to stay away from negative thoughts, and that’s the philosophy she truly lived by.” Mrs. Tutor said that another secret to her active and long life was, “to keep busy and depend on God. ”There are many, many achievements which recognize Mrs. Tutor as a special teacher, but perhaps the most graphic evidence can be found in the note from a former student that reads "Dear Mrs. Tutor, I will try to be the girl that you taught me to be in the Second Grade. I Love you, Anita Reilly." There are many former students of Mrs. Tutor's that still remember her from the second grade and greet her with love and affection. The patience, kindness and Christian Love that Mrs. Mabel Ferguson Tutor showed her former students is the same patience, kindness and Christian Love she shows today to everyone she knows and meets. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cleo Morris Tutor and is survived by a daughter, Sue (Ken) Taylor of Collierville; a son, Michael (Margaret) Tutor of Olive Branch, MS; a sister, Merle Tutor of Pontotoc; six grandchildren, David Taylor, Laura Taylor, Suzanne Stevenson, Joey Tutor, Rene Saavedra and Jennifer Byrd; 12 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. A Celebration of her Life will be at 2 p.m. this afternoon, Tuesday, March 17 at Germantown Baptist Church, with the family receiving friends beginning at Noon. The family will host a reception following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Bailey and Ida Ferguson Scholarship Fund at Blue Mountain College that was established by Mrs. Tutor. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.memphisfuneralhome.net