Esther Ferguson

Esther Ferguson passed away on March 12, 2022, at the age of 97 years. What can we say about Esther? For the most part, she had a wonderful life. The last few years were tough but she persevered and never lost her sense of humor. While we mourn her passing, it is more appropriate that we celebrate her long and blessed life on this planet.

Esther was born on January 23, 1925, in Springfield, Missouri to Silas and Sidonia Helms. Her mother remained hospitalized after Esther’s birth, so this newborn child was sent to live with her aunt—Aunt Esther—and thus the origin of her name. She grew up in Russellville, Arkansas where her father was a forest ranger.  It was these childhood years in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas where she found her love of the outdoors. Esther was fond of saying that at the age of 18 years, she was “told” by her parents that she was going to be a nurse. So, in 1946 she began a 50-year career as a registered nurse – a career she thoroughly enjoyed. Turns out that caring for people was her life’s calling. After finishing nursing school, Esther ended up in Texas, living most of her life in southeast and central Texas. She enjoyed equally her time spent on a lake, by an ocean, or in the mountains.  She was fortunate to have experienced it all.

At the age of 97 years, the list of family members who died before her is too long. She is survived by her three children (in no particular order); Harvey (“Fergie”) Ferguson, Fred Ferguson, and Christy a/k/a Christina Taylor. She was most proud of her favorite child, who will go unnamed here. But this obituary would be incomplete if it did not give a special thank you to Christy for the years she aided, comforted, and cared for her mother.

Esther expressly wrote that she wanted no funeral service after her death. She will be cremated and her ashes interred in accordance with her will. However, much to her displeasure, we will have a cerebration of her life at a later date. Stay tuned.

We will close with Mom’s final message to her children, “Be kind to each other.” Indeed, a message for us all. May she now rest in peace and in the grace of her Lord.