Patsy A Ferguson

Retired teacher Patsy Ferguson leaves behind a legacy of devotion to learning and service. Patsy passed away peacefully in her sleep after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease at New Haven Assisted Living, in Floresville, Texas. She was 87. Her memory is cherished by her loved ones, who will honor her legacy, by living their lives with abundant curiosity.

Patsy completed her Bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma State University in 1959, and began her teaching career that spanned more than three decades, mostly in the storied Harlandale ISD, teaching everything from grade school to Business Administration. While teaching full time, she also earned her Master’s degree in School Administration from Texas A&M Kingsville in order, as she explained it, to know that she knew what her principals knew when they were trying to tell her things they thought she didn’t know. Patsy’s pride in her school and students was evident during her years in the classroom; she shared her passion for learning with hundreds of children and young adults over the years.

She was also dedicated to her own two sons, whom she raised as a single parent. She obviously delighted in them as they grew, never tiring of hearing them laugh and listening to their stories about the mischief and mayhem they hid from her as children.

Patsy pursued a wide variety of interests outside of her work in the classroom. She was an accomplished pianist, a skilled seamstress, an adventurous traveler, an avid reader--especially of mysteries, a devoted student of the Bible, and a leader in her church family at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. Above all, she took her role as a grandmother seriously, supporting the varied interests and pursuits of her grandchildren throughout the years wholeheartedly. She proudly attended all manner of competitions, performances, graduations, and ceremonies--no honor was too small to merit her attention, no matter the distance.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Lula Stratton, and her loving husband, Jerry F. Ferguson. She is survived by her two children, Michael J. Ferguson (Rhonda) and Greg S. Ferguson (Carol); her eight grandchildren, Misty Ferguson, Trista Garrett, Austin Ferguson, Brent Erskine, Scott Ferguson, Shealin Ferguson, Stephanie Carter, and Kyle Ferguson; her twelve great-grandchildren; her sister, Cleta Faye Rivers; her niece and nephew, and many friends and coworkers.