Marie Fergerson

Mother Marie Fergerson of Straight Creek, KY, was born June 29, 1934. On September 28, 2026, she was called home by the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 92. She was a member of the Laurel Hill Pentecostal Church and served as Vice President for Word of Deliverance Inc.

She graduated from Rosenwald High School in 1953 and later acquired Social Work Certification. Employment history included the Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency, Pine Mountain State Park “Mountain View Restaurant,” and the Kentucky Department of Corrections, where she retired in 1999 as Food Service Coordinator at the Bell County Forestry Camp after 27 years of service. For many years, she had a thriving Home Interior business.

Mother Fergerson made history in 1949 at the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville, KY. She was elected Roland Hayes School queen at the age of 14 and had the honor of riding on the first float prepared by and representing the black community. She is the mother of the first black student to attend Bell County High School, appointed state official, elected official, and two Hall of Fame high school athletes, all in Bell County, KY and also, a Preacher of the Gospel. Mother Fergerson took great joy in her children and did all she could for them. Mother Fergerson will be remembered for her outstanding Christian service. She was dedicated to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and never ashamed to be a bold witness. She received the Faith Award in 2018; which is the highest honor presented by Word of Deliverance Inc. The Marie Fergerson Fellowship Hall was dedicated by Word of Deliverance Church in 2026. Mother Fergerson was greatly blessed and was a great blessing! To God Be All The Glory!

She was preceded in death by her husband: Herbert Fergerson; parents: Henry and Emma Jefferson Sr.; and four brothers: Cephas, Robert, Charles, and Henry Jefferson. Survivors include five Children: Rhonda Ann White, Middlesboro, KY; Michael (Martha) Ferguson, East Pineville, KY; Gary Allen (Rebecca) Ferguson, London, KY; Darrell Ferguson and Donna Ferguson, Straight Creek, KY; nine grandchildren: Franklin Durrell White, Michael

Dontae Ferguson, Brittani Leshae Ferguson, Nyeisha Danielle Epperson, Ashley Marie Watson, Trever Isaiah Ferguson, Marissa Makinsse Ferguson, Jordyn Alexandria Ferguson and Braxton Spencer Ferguson; eight great-grandchildren: Daphne Michelle Epperson, Cody Lee Epperson, Dustin Chase Epperson, Payton Olivia Epperson, Zion Mykell White, Brayden Lee Ferguson, London Ivy White, Brynlee Leshae Ferguson and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Special thank you: Dr. Martha Combs Woolum, Home Assistant Carolyn Young, Donna and Darrell Ferguson (who labored tirelessly as her caregivers); friends, family, churches, and Arnett & Steele Funeral Home that have been gracious and compassionate in so many different ways.

Visitation and Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home in Pineville.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home with officiant Prophet Michael Ferguson, Word of Deliverance. Selections will be provided by Rhonda Ann White, Angie Saylor, and Albernita Cummings. Interment will follow at Green Hills Memorial Gardens in Middlesboro. Pallbearers will be Durrell White, Michael Ferguson, Trever Ferguson, Braxton Ferguson, Zion White, Cody Epperson, Chase Epperson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brayden Ferguson, Robert Jefferson, Henry Jefferson, John Jefferson, Bobby VanWinkle, Jimmy Smith, Rick Washington, James Drake, John Slusher, Jerry Owens, and Freddie Taylor.

Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pineville is honored to serve the Fergerson Family.