Mary Irene Ferguson

Former Abilene resident, Mary Irene Naylor Ferguson, passed away in McKinney, Texas on December 21st, 2013. She was born on January 21st, 1922 in Strawn, Texas and moved to Abilene as a child. Her parents were L. H. Naylor, Sr. and Nancy Lee Hutchins Naylor. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1939 after which she completed a two year course at Gail College of Business Efficiency. She received a civil service appointment in Washington, D.C. in 1941 and worked there for close to a year. However, her heart was still in Abilene, so she returned and married Oliver Wendell Ferguson, Sr. on April 25, 1942.

During World War II, she lived in San Antonio and New York City while her husband served as an officer in the U.S. Army. After the war, they returned to Abilene where her husband worked for Abilene Christian College for five years. They also lived in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and the San Antonio area. Throughout her marriage, she worked as an executive secretary and office manager, including several years at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She retired from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1987.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, and a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Ferguson Pricer. She is survived by her husband, Oliver Wendell Ferguson, Sr.; four children, Oliver Wendell Ferguson, Jr., James Richard Ferguson, Rebecca Jeane Ferguson Weyandt, and David Christopher Ferguson; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was a member of the Oldham Lane Church of Christ for many years until moving to the McKinney area to be near her daughter. She will be laid to rest at 2:00pm on Friday, December 27th, 2013 at the Elliott Hamil Garden of Memories, following a graveside service for family and close friends. Arrangements are being handled by Piersall Benton Funeral Directors.