POTTSVILLE — Ellis Dean Ferguson,
90, a resident of Pottsville, died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Russellville.
He was born Feb. 23, 1932, in Pottsville, Arkansas to Guy Ferguson and Carrie Morton Ferguson, the youngest of eight children. He was married to Christina Smith Ferguson for 53 years until her death in 2013. He was a devoted husband, loving father, friend to all, and follower of Christ.
He was a 1950 graduate of Pottsville High School and attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He worked for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department for 35 years as an Engineering Assistant until his retirement in 1987. He served his community on the Pottsville Water Commission that first brought water and sewer to the town. He was a member of the Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church where he served as a former deacon, ruling elder, and clerk of session. He was also a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department Retirees Association. He enjoyed farming (cattle, hogs, sheep), gardening, going to livestock auctions, and visiting with family and friends. He especially enjoyed visiting with everyone that attended his 90th birthday celebration this year and nothing could put a smile on his face faster than visits from his great-granddaughter Bella. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings, and wife.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Cecilia and David Gray of Pottsville, a daughter and partner, Loretta Ferguson Cochran and Vance Smith of Pottsville; a son and daughter-inlaw, Philip and Amy Ferguson of Springdale; eight grandchildren, Christen (and Hunter) Duvall, and Wen, Leigh and Guy Cochran all of Pottsville; Austin Dotson of Fayetteville; Courtney Dotson of Bentonville; and Luke and Eleanor Ferguson of Springdale; one great-grandchild, Bella Brooks Duvall of Pottsville; his lifelong brother-in-law, LeMoyne (and Jawanda) Smith of Little Rock; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Rev. Howard Wheeler will officiate. Burial will be private at Pisgah Cemetery by Humphrey Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pottsville Community Scholarship Foundation, 976 Pine Ridge Road, Pottsville, Ark., 72858 or the Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, PO Box 156, Pottsville, Ark., 72858. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.