Shirley Jean Ferguson

Shirley  “Squirrelly Shirley” Jean (Meeks) Ferguson, age 77, of Louisville, entered eternal life on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Shirley was born in Meade County on September 18, 1942 to the late (and great) Mitchell Hooker and Nellie Leona (Stiles) Meeks.

Whether friend, family, or passerby, she loved spending time with others…observing, partaking in, and always encouraging good times and feisty fun. Karaoke? A love of hers…usually, she was the ring leader. You could even say that, in the company of Shirley, no one was considered a stranger; many knew her as a social butterfly. It was the norm for her to venture out on her own and make new friends by the end of the day. Shirley also loved being around the water, especially on boat with a fishing pole, near a campsite…and don’t forget the sweet tea! In her later years, in lieu of fishing, she most enjoyed feeding and admiring the fish in a nearby pond. Add some bingo (she was one competitive lady), Red lobster,  and red bird watching into the mix and that would’ve been just about a perfect day in her book. 

Like the loved one’s of most folks, no amount of words or memories can justify her or answer the question: “Who was Shirley Jean Ferguson?”. Yet, what else can be said is this: she taught us what it meant to work hard (she loved working because of the people), to be assertive and advocate for your needs and wants, and in a way only she could…she taught us how to take care of ourselves first, so we could be at our best with others. 

Shirley Jean re-joins her parents; daughter, Sherri Lynn Ferguson Cardona; sister, Mary Jo Hancock; and brother, Stanley Meeks.

As “Mom”, “Grandma”, and “Ma Shirley” begins her next adventure, she is celebrated by her daughters, Dana Jones (and husband, Chris); Jennifer Jones (and fiancé, Eric); grandchildren, Austin Cornett, Summer and Justin Mattingly, Cheyenne Cornett, Noah,Justice and Noelle Jones; and sister, Peggy Meeks.

Schoppernhorst, Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. All services will be private.