Emily Lauren Ferguson

2001 - 2024

Emily Lauren Ferguson, 22, passed away peacefully at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital early Sunday morning, April 14, 2024 from complications due to treatment of two childhood cancers, Retinoblastoma and later Ewing Sarcoma.

Emily graduated from St. Mary's Episcopal School in 2020. When Emily was not undergoing cancer treatments, she enjoyed rock climbing, tennis, hiking and traveling. It was during her freshman year of high school that she joined the St. Mary's Trap Team coached by Bill Quinlen, Boyd Wade, Richard Morrow, Pierre Landaiche, Charles Bechtel, Jeff Hesselberg, Rick Lewis, and her father, Chris. She was also coached by Jim Dickerson of USA Shooting.

These coaches were powerful, positive role models for her as a teen, so much so that she has always considered them family, not just coaches. She was empowered and encouraged by them and found she had natural talent for the sport. And, she became really, really good.

Aside from holding every trap record at St Mary's and winning a veritable pile of trap shooting medals and trophies locally, Emily also made a name for herself at the state and national level. She was the only lady to ever win the Grand Champion trophy at State (2020) and the only lady to ever win the Rudy Cup at National (2019). She was particularly proud of her 97% average over 4 years at National. Emily also participated in several "invitation only" competitions at the Olympic Shooting Center in Colorado Springs.

After high school, Emily attended the University of Tennessee – Southern on both academic and athletic scholarships as a member of the UT competitive clay target shooting team. However, she was unable to complete her studies as her health issues demanded all of her attention and time.

Everyone that met Emily fell in love with her wit and intelligence. She was fiercely independent and insisted in always doing for herself. She worked endlessly to not allow her story to be only about cancer. Sadly, the disease took her away before she could really begin her life. Everyone and especially her family has always been awestruck by her bravery, toughness, and resilience. We could not be more proud of how she handled her illness with such dignity and grace despite the insurmountable odds.

Emily is survived by her parents, Dr. Christopher and Christa Ferguson of Eads, her two younger sisters, Catherine and Campbell Ann Ferguson, grandparents, David and Hilda Campbell of Grenada, MS and the late Gerald and Ann Ferguson of Grenada, MS.

We are forever grateful to St Jude, especially Dr Alberto Pappo, and all the other doctors, nurses and other health care providers that loved and cared for Emily over the years.

A Celebration of Life Reception for Emily will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Parkside Event Center at Memorial Park Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Emily.