Mr. Sammy Gerald Ferguson, Sr., 91, of Grenada, passed away Monday, April 17, 2017 at his residence after a brief illness. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the Magnolia Cemetery near Coldwater. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM Saturday at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service.
Mr. Ferguson began his career with the Baddour Wholesale Company as a Tri-state Regional Sales Manager. He was then afforded the opportunity to open the first Fred's franchise store, selecting Grenada as the location. Mr. Ferguson owned and operated Vic's Dollar Store, named after one of the Baddour brothers, Victor Baddour, an original owner of the Fred's Corporation. The store operated as an integral part of downtown Grenada for over 20 years.
As a member of the revered "Greatest Generation", Mr. Ferguson answered the call of duty to his county when WWII broke out and enlisted into service with the United States Navy in Jan 1942. He served aboard the Destroyer Escort, USS Evarts (DE-5) which patrolled the waters of the North Atlantic. He received the Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal and the Euro-African-Middle Eastern Medals for his service.
He was honored with an invitation by the MS Gulf Coast Honor Flight to visit Washington, DC in 2011 as a tribute to his military service.
Mr. Ferguson was a respected gentle giant in the community and possessed qualities of patriotism, honesty, hard work, truth in one's word, and love of God and family. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke his words had meaning.
Mr. Ferguson was pre-deceased by his wife of over 60 years, Ann N. Ferguson. They leave a legacy of ten children, 6 daughters and 4 sons, and their families. Suzanne Shorter, Hazlehurst; Elin Juchheim (Dr. Max), Grenada; Joy Portera (Tony), Brandon; Kathy Ferguson, Memphis, TN; Dr. Patty Ferguson, Memphis, TN; Jean Carpenter, Grenada; Sammy Ferguson, Jr., Grenada; Billy Ferguson (Maggie), Duck Hill; Dr. Chris Ferguson (Christa), Eads, TN; and Sean Ferguson (Connie), Jackson, MS.
Survivors also include sisters, Jewel Hardy and Billie Jean Caillouett of Centerville, TN; sister in law, Mariglyn Meacham, Senatobia; 21 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Special thanks are extended to Martha Miller, Earlie Mohead, and Peggy Mohead for their endless compassion and devotion to Mr. Ferguson over the past 9 months. The love and support shown to him and our family will be forever appreciated.
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the First United Methodist Church of Grenada TV ministry