Esther M. Ferguson, 86, a resident of Elmhaven East nursing home in Parsons, died there at 4:50 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. She had been in failing health.

She was born April 15, 1923, at Roseland to James and Lillian (Arbuckle) Chappell. Her mother died when she was 4 years old, and she was raised by her aunt, Belle Hayes. She graduated from Cherokee County High School at Columbus and attended one year of college at Miltonvale.

On Aug. 4, 1946, she married Clifford Ferguson in Oswego. Following their wedding, they lived in Altamont and moved to Parsons in 1957. He preceded her in death on July 22, 1984.

Mrs. Ferguson was a member of First Baptist Church of Parsons and of its Amoma Sunday School Class. She had been active in the American Baptist Women’s organization, holding several offices in the local group and in the Crawford Association. She was a life member of both the Lady Elks and the V.F.W. Auxiliary.

Survivors include a son, Duane Ferguson of Aurora, Colo.; two daughters, Louise Waun and her husband, Ron, of Parsons and Joann Lattin of Parsons; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death was her husband; two grandchildren, Casey Waun and Erik Ferguson; a great-great-grandson; and a sister, Ada Belle Chappell.

The service will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Carson-Wall Funeral Home from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Memorials are suggested to either the Elmhaven East activity fund or First Baptist Church and may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, 67357.