Mary Patricia DeJames Ferguson

How does one sum up the impact of over a century of life filled with love of God and family, strength, courage, determination, and fortitude?

We are saddened to share the news that we have lost an incredible woman, a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend. Mary Patricia DeJames Ferguson passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2020.

Mary is survived by her children Patty Ferguson Echols (Wynn) of Birmingham, Alabama, Ralph A. (Sonny) Ferguson (Pennye) of Birmingham, Alabama, Debby Ferguson Quattlebaum (Ken) of Fairhope, Alabama, Craig Ferguson (Lynn) of Dadeville, Alabama, and Randy Ferguson (Beth) of Alabaster, Alabama, son-in-law, David M. Gustin of Birmingham, Alabama, fifteen grand children and twenty-six great grandchildren, her brother, Anthony DeJames and sister, Joan DeJames Hussak, along with many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Ralph Andersen Ferguson and her daughter, Mary Catherine Ferguson Gustin of Sylacauga, Alabama, her parents, Pasquale and Theresa DeJames, four brothers, Frank, Mark, Bobby and Tommy DeJames and five sisters, Molly, Jenny, Rose, Kay, and Evelyn all of Buffalo, New York.

Mary was born on March 22, 1919 to Pasquale and Theresa DeJames of Buffalo, New York. She was the fifth of twelve children, five boys, and seven girls whom she loved dearly. While being a child of the Great Depression and the daughter of an Italian immigrant, she quickly developed a fierce and energetic spirit, high achieving, and determined to succeed, all of which set the tone for her life to come as an adult. Mary’s life was the story of the true American dream of a better life and her family loved hearing the many stories of how life was for her parents and her family. Stories of life in New York in the 1920s and 1930s, living through the great depression, stories of the struggles of the immigrant family, stories of resilience, hope, hard work, and desire for a better life. Her stories of a childhood growing up in Buffalo, New York in an Italian neighborhood which painted a much different picture than the world her children had experienced. One of our favorite stories was the one about her cousin, Rocky Kansas, born in Italy and came to America in 1898. Rocky was a boxer, also known as “ Little Hercules” and became the World Lightweight Boxing Champion in 1925.

Becoming of age in the 1930s, Mary pursued a career with Bell Aircraft Cooperation, a major aircraft manufacturer, builder of several fighter aircraft for World War II. This is where she met the love of her life, Ralph Ferguson in 1941. Early in their marriage together it was interrupted when the WWII broke out and Ralph, like so many of his time, enlisted in the US Army. While aggressively serving his country in Italy, he became involved in a heavy artillery battle and was wounded multiple times. Being severely injured and permanently disabled, he had to return home where he was presented the Purple Heart Medal. Mary and Ralph faced uncharted territory and many new hardships as a result but the couple faced their challenges together with a relentless spirit of determination.

The young couple moved to St. Louis, Missouri to be close to Ralph’s family and as many of his time, Ralph and Mary were committed for him to go to college on the G.I. Bill, at St. Louis University. After college, the couple moved to Columbus, Georgia and later to Birmingham, Alabama. Together Mary and Ralph had six children, became active in their community, and began two lumber companies, Southern Lumber Company and Ferguson Lumber Company. They were partners in everything in every sense of the word.

Mary lived her life with great passion and passes on an undeniable spirit of determination, independence, along with a strong sense of responsibility to her children, fifteen grand children and twenty-six great grandchildren. Those who knew her well knew her love for cooking and baking, especially her homemade pizzas and her famous Christmas cookies!

In closing, it is impossible to sum up over one hundred years of life in a few paragraphs. We will miss her tremendously and are grateful for this chance to share some of what made Mary Patricia DeJames Ferguson so unique. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate Mary’s life and tremendous legacy.

Friends and family are welcome to a time of visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Friday, September 25, 2020 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.

Celebrating Mary's life at a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood on Friday, September 25 at 11:00. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donating to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church or Catholic Charities to enhance God’s work, or eat something authentically Italian, or send flowers to someone who needs to feel loved; a family member, friend, neighbor, coworker, senior citizen, or young person. Mary would like that very much!

Words from Psalms 90 express a portion of how she has lived her life and continues to impart her wisdom to us. ~ “Lord, through all the generations you have been our home from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory.”