Rita Joyce Ferguson was born on August 8, 1932, and departed this life on February 6, 2024. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Thompson; her mother, Ambrosia Bodiford Thompson; her sister, Linda Thompson; her husband, William Eugene (Gene) Ferguson; her daughter, Rita Ferguson Crocker; and her son, David Eugene Ferguson.
Joyce was born in Pocahontas, TN, and spent her adult life in Shelby County. Joyce and Gene attended Raleigh Baptist Church, Broadmoor Baptist Church, Eudora Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Cordova Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church throughout their fifty-eight year marriage. Joyce and Gene were active members at their churches teaching Sunday School and singing in the choirs. Joyce loved the arts, particularly music, and instilled an appreciation of arts in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Joyce worked at First Tennessee Bank and taught at DeNeuville Heights School for Girls until her retirement in 1997. She was a dedicated teacher and had a positive impact on the lives of many young women.
Joyce is survived by her sisters Barbara Smith (David, deceased); Sedalia Ingram; Jo Lynn Davis (Rhesa); her brothers, J.W. Thompson (Joan, deceased); Morris Thompson (Reba); and Woodie Thompson (Carole).
She is also survived by her son-in-law, Don Crocker, and children, Kyle and Kaitlyn (Peter); and her daughter-in-law Susan Ferguson, and children, Hollye Stigler (Steve), Leigh, and Catherine Conger (Kyle). Finally, she is survived by her seven great-grandchildren Abby, Ruthie and Amelie Stigler and Wallace, Finley, Maeve, and Madeleine Conger.
A visitation for Joyce will be held Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at Memphis Funeral Home 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119. Following the visitation, a family graveside service will be held at 10:45 a.m.
