Phyllis E. Ferguson

Phyllis Ann Erby Ferguson, the fifth child of Edgar and Louise Erby, was born September 9, 1942. She was raised and attended schools in Charleston, West Virginia, graduating high school at the age of 16. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from West Virginia State College in Institute, West Virginia, now West Virginia State University.

Phyllis married Gurnett E. Ferguson II and had two children, Gurnett E. III and Rebecca Jane. In 1967, she and her family moved to Southern California. There she received a Master’s Degree from California Polytechnic University, and taught elementary school for twenty-nine years. In 1997, she was nominated for Teacher of the Year.

During those years in California, a co-worker invited her to church and there she accepted Christ. She and her family became members of First Baptist Church of Pomona. They were one of the first Black families to join that church, remaining as members for several years. While there, Phyllis and her husband “Cap” became Directors of the Junior Department (6th, 7th, & 8th graders), Sunday School teachers, Deacons, and Counselors. They were very active in the Evangelism Explosion Program, founded by D. James Kennedy. Along with her husband, Phyllis also participated in a couple of Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusades and also the Campus Crusade “I Found It” program. She, her husband, and daughter Becky, were counselors and choir members for the week long program. In mid-1990s, she and her family moved to Columbus, Ohio, where they became active members of New Salem Baptist Church. While there, she and her daughter Rebecca participated in building a house for Habitat for Humanity in Northwest Columbus. Phyllis and her family became members of First Baptist Church of Columbus, where she joined the choir and became active in the Women’s Ministry. In 2015-16, Phyllis worked as a volunteer for the Obama Campaign, and served in programs such as Sisters and Brothers. Some of her favorite things to do, were traveling, and playing a “foursome” round of golf with her family.

Phyllis, by her own admission, had a shyness which caused her to develop a “dry sense of humor;” (always making jokes) that undoubtedly, would disband darkness and replace it with light and joy.

Persons who knew Phyllis well, would probably agree that she was an epitome of the Virtuous Woman described in Proverbs…31:12 She will do good and not evil to her husband, all the days of her life; 31:15 She rises while it is yet night, to provide food for her household; 31:20 She stretches her hand to the poor and the needy; 31:26 She speaks with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness; 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household and is not idle; 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her; 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou, Phyllis, excellest them all; 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. (KJV)

A scripture reference stands out in Phyllis’s notes, for the compilation of this obituary: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:8.

Phyllis Ann Erby Ferguson, 81, departed this life on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Preceding her in death were her parents, Edgar and Louise Erby; brothers, Edward Louis Erby (also wife Betty) and Alphonso Lee Erby.

Phyllis leaves us to cherish her memory, her devoted husband, Gurnett II, her faithful and adoring children, son, Gurnett III, and daughter, Rebecca; sisters, Jean Reynolds, Delores Terry, Sonia White; and brothers, David Erby (Connie), Paul Erby (Sandy); aunt Revella Coleman Anderson; along with many other treasured relatives, in-laws, out-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Viewing is at 12:00 P.M. Monday, August 19, 2024 at First Baptist Church, 1185 Noe Bixby Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43213 (corner Noe Bixby & E. Main). Service is at 1:00 P.M. Care and arrangements are provided by Schoedinger Funeral Services, (614) 861-6268.