Virginia Jewel Fergus

Early Monday morning, November 10, 2025, the good Lord was working at his desk and when he finished crossing all the t's and dotting the i's of Mom's life book, he closed it and reunited Mom with her husband, Lawrence, parents Charlotte and Henry Brooks along with friends that went to be with the Lord before her.

My mother was born Virginia Jewel Fergus to Henry and Charlotte Brooks on October 29th, 1927 in Flagstaff, Arizona and lived a full life of ninety-eight years until her passing in Avondale, Arizona.

Mom married her one and only true love, Lawrence Fergus on April 21, 1946, in Cottonwood, Arizona and lived happily for fifty-three years until Dad passed in December 22, 1999. Virginia was mother to Henry Fergus, born on October 14, 1957.

Mom lived a very fulfilling life by being a housewife, a mom to me (Henry) and providing ministry to others. When not fulfilling her duties as a housewife, she served as a mother not only to Henry, but in time was able to be mother to Kelly Sudac (Anderson) and to her sister Karen Hepting (Byram) who would later become known as Henry's adopted sisters. Mom assisted in helping not only with school work (even during Henry's college years), but also volunteered for school activities. Mom at one time volunteered at the Agua Fria Food Bank, and, just like her mother, helped take people to doctor's appointments and much more.

Besides her being a great mother, housewife and volunteer, she was also a great servant of the Lord. She, her husband and parents were members of First Southern Baptist Church of Avondale, now Avondale Baptist Church.

Virginia's husband and father were deacons of the church. Mom and her mother worked teaching Sunday School, but their most loved passion was missions. Mom and her family included wanted not only to share God's love not only those in their community, but to those around the world.

This was quite evident as Mom served the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention as state GA director and then as Women's Missionary Union director.

She would travel all over the state with the convention to help lead conferences helping churches establish their own Girls In Action and Women's Missionary Union Programs. She also did mission Vacation Bible Schools, one on an Indian Reservation. She also worked with a missionary nurse from Ghana. In her later years at the church, she was the Preschool Director where she loved working with young children and their families.

No telling how many times she sang, "Jesus Loves Me!" She meant every word.

Up till the day of her passing, Mom would read her Bible every morning, praying for and sending out cards of encouragement to others. She will be greatly missed, but what will be especially missed, will be her words of wisdom she was so good at giving.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence and her parents Henry and Charlotte Brooks. She is survived by her son, Henry (his wife Diane), granddaughter Krystal (her pride and joy) and as mentioned early, her adopted daughters, Kelly Sudac (Ed) and Karen Hepting (Jim) and their families.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that you donate to the Virginia Fergus Mission Fund to be established at Avondale Baptist Church so Mom's mission to share God's love to others can be continued.

A Visitation for Virginia will be held at Avondale Baptist Church from 9:00 am - 11:00 am, with a Service to follow at 11:00 am. Virginia will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery, at 12:45 pm.

The family thanks you for your love and support!