Benjamin Crawford Ferguson, Jr. died at home in Murfreesboro, TN, on Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
The family will receive friends Tuesday beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Elkins Funeral Home, Florence, and the funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Dr. Carl Gebhardt will officiate. Burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
Ben graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After serving in the US Army, he began working for International Paper Company and was a loyal employee for over 40 years. Ben worked primarily in Mobile, AL. Later he worked in the New York office before retiring from the Memphis office in 1995.
During his time with International Paper Company, he served as president of the Technical Assoc. of Pulp and Paper Industry and did international traveling for the company. In recent years, Ben and Betty relocated to Murfreesboro, TN to be closer to one of their daughters and her family. There Ben, along with his wife enjoyed their church, The First United Methodist Church, and also enjoyed traveling and entertaining family and friends. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2009.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Pickens Ferguson, formerly of Florence, AL. They have three children, Col. Timothy Webb Ferguson (Susan) of Stuttgart, Germany, Lynn Ferguson Guy (Art) Baltimore, MD, Sharon Ferguson-Kolli (Dr.Murali) of Murfreesboro, TN, and seven grandchildren, Meaghan Elizabeth Ferguson, Brittany Ferguson Huckelberry, Benjamin Lehr Ferguson, Ashley Ann Guy, William Crawford Guy, Sarada Maury Kolli, and Jhansi Uma Louise Kolli.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents Ben C. and Maury Wisdom Ferguson, of Mobile, AL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37219 (615-893-1322) or Alive Hospice, 1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 202, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.