Lillie Bell Ferguson

Sister Ferguson, was born in New Albany, MS June 14, 1931 to Carl H. Foster and Lue Cressie (Bryson) Foster. Sister Ferguson was a longtime member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Peoria, IL. Where she served as a Deaconess and was over hospitality. It was her spirit of serving others that on many occasions you would find her household full of family and friends for Sunday dinner. Her hobbies included fishing and gardening, and serving others. She also had a great fashion sense. Her humor is legendary and to have had a one liner placed on you was truly a blessing.

Sister Ferguson, moved to Peoria, IL in her 20s, where many knew her from Voyager Inn and Hardin Hot Dog’s where you could always see her smiling face. She retired in the late 90s from PARC on Roman.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Deacon Daniel L. Ferguson, her parents, Carl H. Foster and Lue Cressie (Bryson) Foster and her son Willie C. Simmons as well as her bonded son Charles Ferguson and her bonded daughter, Carmen Steer. Her brothers Quincy Carl Foster “Q.C.”, Paul B. Foster, John H. Foster, Judge Foster, and her grandson, Courtney Simmons.

She is survived in love by her children: Arthur Lee Otis Simmons (Betty) of Colton, CA, Rev. Dottie Faye Simmons-Robinson (late Marvin) of Peoria, IL, Bettie Lou Simmons-Carter of Fairburn, GA, and Carl Henderson Simmons of Los Angeles, CA, her bonded children, Grace Ferguson of Tamp, FL, Dorothy Smith of Peoria, IL , Rosie Johnson of Peoria, IL and Jeffery Lynn Ferguson of Galesburg, IL , Sisters, Flossie M. Pannell of Houston, Texas , and Della R. Evans of Peoria, IL.

She is also survived by 35 grandchildren, as well as a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Baptist Church in Peoria. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria.