of Boxley, AR
March 20, 1927 - May 8, 2014
Mary Virginia Robins Ferguson, of Boxley, Arkansas, died Thursday, May 8, in Conway, Arkansas, from complications of a stroke suffered in late March.
Mary Virginia was born March 20, 1927, in Conway, Arkansas, to Frank E. Robins Jr., and Virginia Warren Robins. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Hubert L. Ferguson of Boxley, Arkansas, her two sons, John (Gloria) and Bill Ferguson of Conway, Arkansas, her daughter, Francie Bolter (Brian) of Mayflower, Arkansas, and 17 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her parents and her brother, Frank E. Robins III, preceded her in death.
Mary Virginia loved history and had a wonderful memory for names and dates. Born into a newspaper family-her grandfather was the publisher of the Log Cabin Democrat at the time of her birth-''Arney'' began her love affair with history, absorbing the people, places and events of Conway as they were reported in the daily newspaper. She retained a wealth of information about her hometown, including its recovery from the Great Depression, its experience of World War II, and its accelerated growth in the post-war years. Her family both enjoyed and relied on her wonderful memory for facts and details. ''Ask Mama--she'll know'' was a phrase her family uttered countless times.
Mary Virginia's love of history influenced her educational pursuits. She attended Hendrix College, Randolph Macon College for Women, and Arkansas State Teacher's College and received her undergraduate degree in History from George Washington University. Upon completing a Master's in History from State College of Arkansas (now UCA) in 1968, she began teaching American History and American Government at Conway High School, where she taught for a decade.
MV was an early political activist as well as a proponent of historic preservation. She was an early member of the Conway League of Women Voters and was asked to join the Committee of 100, a state-wide women's group formed in 1974 to support the newly established Ozark Folk Center. She was a member and officer of the Faulkner County Historical Society and played an important role in the establishment of the Faulkner County Museum.
Inspired by her mother who was a passionate gardener and her father, an avid fisherman, Mary Virginia grew up loving the outdoors. She attended Camp Kiwanis as a Girl Scout and later became a counselor there. She encouraged all three of her children to participate in scouting, and at various times she was a Cub Scout, Brownie Scout, and Girl Scout troop leader. She conceived of and directed a Girl Scout Day Camp on Cove Creek in northern Faulkner County for several summers, served on the board of the Ouachita Girl Scout Council, and was president of this Council for two terms.
Before ''environmentalism'' became a household word, Mary Virginia was an activist for respecting the natural world. She was an avid birdwatcher and an early member of the Arkansas Audubon Society; she obtained a license to band birds, an activity which produced important data about bird distribution. Mary Virginia credited Harold Alexander, of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Ruth Thomas, a columnist for the Arkansas Gazette, with heightening her concern for the environment. The Arkansas Council of Garden Clubs of which she was a member became the first statewide organization to publicly petition to cease damning Arkansas streams and drowning rivers with deep impoundments. In 1971, MV rode the ''Jubilee Bus'' to Washington, D.C., with her son John and other Ozark society members where she testified before Congress in support of designating the Buffalo River as America's first national river.
Mary Virginia loved canoeing, camping, and hiking with family and friends. She hiked notable canyons in Utah, rafted many western rivers, and hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim. A goal she cherished was that she had hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon at various times with each of her children and grandchildren. She and Hubert participated in Earthwatch trips to Utah, Australia, and Costa Rica and enjoyed many memorable birding trips in Central America, Africa, and India.
In 1980, Mary Virginia and Hubert achieved the dream of passing on the family printing business to their sons and purchased a farm in the Boxley valley of Newton County, Arkansas, through which the Buffalo River runs. This chapter of her life allowed her a deep enjoyment of her values: living a life tied to the rhythms of the natural world, connecting with the folkways of the Ozarks, enjoying the bounty of their farm and garden, and being a faithful steward of the natural environment.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 13, at 2 p.m. at the amphitheatre located next to the Ferguson Chapel at UCA. The service will be moved to the chapel in case of rain.
A gathering of remembrance will be held Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at the Scroggins-Villines house in Boxley, Arkansas.
Memorial opportunities include the Ferguson-Robins Honors College Scholarship at the University of Central Arkansas or the Halberg Ecology Camp of the Arkansas Audubon Society.
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38 Condolence(s)
Aubrey Shepherd
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Hubert and Mary Virginia in Fayetteville Photo available.
Richard Robinson
Saturday, May 24, 2014
I was really sad to hear of Mrs. Ferguson's death. She was my teacher at Conway High, the mother of my school mates and a great person. I'm so glad that she and Hubert were able to have a nice retirement in a part of Arkansas that they loved. Deepest sympathies to the family during this time of loss. God bless you all.
David Phillips
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Hubert,
Sorry to hear about MV. I was only able to spend a few days every few years with you and her on whatever river we would end up on She was always a pleasure to be around. I glad I was able to know her. Take care of your self.
David
Ann Crafton Webb
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Ferguson Family:
Many blessings to you at this time.. Your mother was a remarkable woman
Ann;
Marilyn Sue Linn Whitley
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
When I saw Mrs. Ferguson's Obit I immediately thought of the energetic, smiling Lady I remember...prayers to Francie and the Family.
Barbara Satterfield
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Dear Ferguson Family, I give thanks for Mary Virginia's life and wish you all grace and peace in this difficult time.
Sherry Tipps-Holder
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Virginia’s contribution to Arkansas history is well known. We appreciate all of her efforts to promote local historic interpretation and preservation in Faulkner County and the rest of Arkansas. We are so sorry for your loss.
Patt Wilson
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Francie, We are so deeply saddened to learn of your mother's death when we arrived back in town this week. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Patt and Mike Wilson
Kaye Hoggard
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
John, Bill, and family
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Edd & Donna Erbach
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.
Donna & Edd
Patsy Minton Newton
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Conway roots make me remember Mary Virginia as an extraordinary person and always with Hubert.
Sympathy to her family from my family,
Patsy Minton Newton
Mary-Catherine Flanagin Mann
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Ferguson Family-I'm so sorry to hear about Mrs. Ferguson. What a special lady! You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Mary-Catherine
Reita Rimmer
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
My deepest sympathy to all of the family. It was an honor to know such a wonderful woman as Mary Virginia.
David & Laura Timby
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Dear Hubert and Family,
David and I were so saddened to hear of Mary Virginia's death. We will always be thankful for the times we have spent with the both of you Hubert. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mary Virginia was a very special lady. She was so kind and caring and always made us feel so very welcome. Truly an inspiration to all who were lucky enough to know her. We will miss her.
With love and sympathy,
Laura & David Timby
Skip and Mary Lynn Emmett
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Hubert, John, Bill, Francie, and family- We are so very sorry. Mary Virginia was a lovely, gracious, wonderful lady, and she will be missed by many. We consider it a privilege to know her and a privilege to have such wonderful neighbors as Hubert and Mary Virginia. We pray that God will comfort you all and give you peace during this most sorrowful time. We always thought of Mary Virginia as a beautiful, smart Southern lady-which she was. We will remember you in prayer.
Bob schmidt
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
John & Bill - i m very sorry to read of moms passing
Read about dads coping with the elk a couple years ago and hope he is doing well
Bob schmidt
Rodney and Caroline Kestner
Monday, May 12, 2014
Hubert, John, Bill and Francie,
We are so sorry for your loss. Over the past few days we have talked about how important M.V. was to us and how much she will be missed. She had a gift for making anyone she talked to feel important. M.V. always found joy in the small and simple things in life. What an inspiration she was to all of us. We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Love,
Rodney and Caroline
Dell Eddins
Monday, May 12, 2014
Words are failing me as I try to speak my heart right now. Hubert, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Mary Virginia embodied grace and good humor and always made everyone feel welcome. What a lady.
Sherry Lambert
Monday, May 12, 2014
Natalee--
My sister (Diane Fugatt) and I are so very sorry for the loss of your remarkable grandmother. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lolly Tindol
Monday, May 12, 2014
Dear Hubert,
Milancy told me about MV's stroke in March, the same time the daffodils were blooming up on the Mountain. All I could think of was that she always gave her sweetness away just like all the hundreds of daffodils did out in the field.
This short poem reminds me of images that MV would have loved too:
"Do not stand by my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunshine on ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn's rain.
When you awake in morning's hush,
I am the silent uplifting rush of birds in flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand by my grave and cry..."
With our love sent from afar.
Lolly and Norm
Janis Banister
Monday, May 12, 2014
May I express my deepest sympathy to all the family.
What a privilege to know her.
Janis Banister
Skip Ebel
Monday, May 12, 2014
I feel blessed to have had the good fortune to know Mary Virgina for many years; and I am certain others who had the pleasure to know her feel the same. She was truly a wonderful inspiring person.
Sherill Tester Kumbarji
Monday, May 12, 2014
Bill and Family,
i was so very sorry to hear of Mary Virginia's passing. An outstanding woman like her will be sorely missed in this world.
My deepest sympathy.
bill eddins
Monday, May 12, 2014
Hubert, John, Bill and Francie,
Mary Virginia took me into your home and
family — a treasured time in my life. Forty-five
years later, the memories remain vivid and
happy. She was feisty and funny and loving.
I am so sorry for your loss.
With warmest best regards,
Bill Eddins
Lynita Langley-Ware
Monday, May 12, 2014
The Faulkner County Museum wishes to extend our deepest sympathies for the loss of Mrs. Ferguson. She was a great lover of history!
Clair Ramsay
Monday, May 12, 2014
Hubert, Francie, John and Bill,
MV''s passing "into the light" gives us both deep sadness for the loss of a great mind and a true friend AND sincere peace and happiness for having had the privilege of sitting to listen to her stories, and questions, and thoughts, and knowing that she truly cared about us, and ours. We will miss her being here with us, but we will never forget HER nor what she was all about. ;-) You are in our hearts. Clair and Rick
Melissa Browning
Monday, May 12, 2014
Francie, Johnny, & Bill-- My deepest sympathy on the loss of your sweet Mama. Your great loss can be softened in time by realizing all her wonderful wisdom and lasting attributes she passed on to each of you, her equally aspiring children. Our lives all come full circle but she seemed to do it the best. Much love to all.
Jo Ann Roth Cooper
Monday, May 12, 2014
So sorry for your loss.
I never got to be around Mary Virginia but felt close to her because of the friendship of my mother, Alma Edwards Roth, and her mother, Virginia. I also have the connections of the Nolans, Eurnice and Paul in Fayetteville.
May it somehow help to know that others care.
"Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief." I am also a cousin of Allan and John Meadors.
Ken & Marie Roessler
Monday, May 12, 2014
Pat was a wounderful person and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Ken & Marie Roessler
Monday, May 12, 2014
Pat was a wounderful person and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Robert & Nancy Hartney
Monday, May 12, 2014
What a joyful photograph - reflecting a joyful and full life.
David Hicks
Monday, May 12, 2014
Your part In the history of the River and the gift of service with the Ozark Society will always be remembered by my clan. Blessings on your journey.
Mark Stuart
Monday, May 12, 2014
John & Bill,
I'm sorry to hear about your mother and I will be praying for you and your families.
Warmest regards,
Mark
Ron and Peggy Hill
Sunday, May 11, 2014
What a full and wonderful life she led. Our prayers are with the family.
linda brown
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Mary Virginia enriched my life, and so many others, with her wisdom and wit, her generosity and grace, an incredible, beautiful woman. Sending love to her family.
Ellen Gordy
Sunday, May 11, 2014
So sorry to hear of Mary Virginia's passing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim Powers
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Bill, my brother, and all the rest. Good bye to a wonderful person and a great gin and tonic maker
Randy O. Bowling
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Francie: So very, very sorry to hear of your MOM's passing. She was literally one of my favorite teachers @ CHS.
She was a great advisor, & mentor of students & an inspiration, who was one of my main inspirations to run for State House of Representatives, not once; but, twice. Also to be a Political Science Minor @ UCA.
I shall greatly miss her. She was truly one of the greatest generation ever, in the USA & the World!
Semper Fi,
s/RANDY O. BOWLING
R.O.B./