Irene Isabel Ferguson

Notes:

Irene Isabella Ferguson Oliver was born to James Calvin Ferguson and Rita Ashby Ferguson on November 15, 1919 in Middleton, Oklahoma. She passed from this life on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. She was married to Will Arthur Oliver on September 16, 1939. They had seven children: Doyle, Roffie, Dwayne, Ron, Gaye, David and Gary.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents: Calvin and Rita Ferguson; her husband, Will Arthur Oliver; her son, Dwayne Oliver; and two grandchildren, Aaron Oliver and Brandon Oliver. Siblings preceding her in death were Velma King, Albert Ferguson, Eugene Ferguson, and Frances Sarver.

Irene has been a devout Christian all her life and was a member of Cornerstone Pentecostal Church in Lufkin for the last 21 years. She was cared for by her son and his wife, Doyle and Sarah Oliver. Doyle so eloquently wrote to her on her last Mother's Day: "When I think of my Mother I see the greatest example of a lady, wife, mother, Christian and teacher. She was always a lady in every way. As a wife, she was a team player always in sync with her husband on every goal they had. As a mother, her children always came first as to care and well-being, manners and respect for others, but most of all teaching them about Jesus and salvation. She taught these things by example and reading to her children from the Bible daily, requiring them to memorize the books of the Bible, scriptures and be able to answer questions she prepared. For all of these things I am thankful. These teachings have been the cornerstones of my life and the success of my marriage and family."

Irene is survived by her children and their spouses: Doyle and Sarah Oliver, Roffie and Rev. Jerry Ensey, Laverne Oliver, Rev. Ron and Cheryl Oliver, Gaye and Bill Cain, David and Susan Oliver, Bishop Gary and Kimberly Oliver. She is also survived by her siblings, Adelle Burch, Margaret Oliver, Geraldine Goynes, Edna Cook, Myrtle Boyd and Bruce Ferguson; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.

Memorial services for Irene Ferguson Oliver, 97, of Lufkin, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church in Lufkin. Interment will be in the Rosevine Cemetery in Rosevine, Texas.

Family/Spouse: Will Arthur Oliver. Will was born on 10 Feb 1914; died on 21 Feb 1996; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1940 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP #6
SD 42-2 ED 202-9 Sheet 8B
Rosevine & Milam Road
165
(Residence in 1935 for this entire family was Rural Angelina County, Texas)
Ferguson, James C Head M W 52 M No 5th Tx Farmer
Ferguson, Reta O Wf F W 41 M No 1rst Tennessee Housewife At Home
Ferguson, Magruite Dtr F W 17 S No 1rst Okla Housework
Ferguson, Albert Son M W 15 S Okla Yes 5th Student at school
Ferguson, Eugene Son M W 13 S Yes 5th Okla
Ferguson, Geraldine Dtr F W 11 S Yes 4rth Tx
Ferguson, Francis Dtr F W 9 S Yes 3rd Texas
Ferguson, Edna Earl DStr F W@ 6 S Yes 1 Tx
Ferguson, Myrtle Dtr F W 4 S Tx
Ferguson, Bruce Son M W 1 S Tx

James married Reta Ashby. Reta was born on 8 Nov 1899 in Benton County, Tennessee; died on 15 Nov 1991; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]