Johnnie Lucille (Boggiano) Ferguson

Johnnie Lucille (Boggiano) Ferguson of Germantown, Tennessee passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 12, 2025.

Johnnie (Johnnie Lou, LouLou, Mama, and last but not least Mamaw) was born at home on August 1, 1932 in South Memphis to Oliver and John Boggiano. Johnnie attended Southside High School where she was a member of the cheerleading squad and voted Most Flirtatious.

In 1949 Johnnie Lou took a seasonal position at Lowenstein's department store in downtown Memphis. There she met the love of her life and future husband, Raymond Ferguson. Their brief courtship graced the halls of The Peanut Shoppe, Rainbow Roller Rink, and the Jefferson Movie Theater. The pair quickly married, and she graduated high school as Mrs. Johnnie Ferguson in 1950.

In 1951 she became a mother with the arrival of her first son, Ray, and thus began a career as a dedicated stay-at-home mother and homemaker. Mary Lucille was born in 1959, and her last child John Robert came in 1965. Supporting her husband as he rose through the ranks at Illinois Central Railroad gave her an enormous sense of pride as her father was a train engineer. Hosting company dinners, helping with homework, throwing birthday parties, making clothes, being a Room Mother, and cooking every meal from scratch filled her with joy and purpose for decades.

When she wasn't busy keeping her husband and kids on track at home, she lent her talents to the churches she attended, which stretched from Chicago to Memphis due to Raymond's railroad career. She served on committees, prepared meals, taught Sunday School, and raised her hand to help whenever she could.

In March of 2025, Johnnie Lou and Raymond celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary, and Raymond asked her to reaffirm their love and by exchanging new rings with local family present. After 75 years of marriage, not much could surprise her, but Raymond was able to pull off one last surprise for his bride.

Johnnie had a vivacious personality, and her emerald eyes sparkled brightest when she was holding court recounting stories. We heard her favorite tales: starring in the movie "The Kidnappers Foil," facing down a black bear in Pigeon Forge, singing on the radio, having distant relations to Alexander Hamilton, and eating gelato multiple times a day in Italy, to name a few, for decades.
When her childrearing years came to a close, she found a spiritual home at Covenant United Methodist Church in Cordova, Tennessee. Our family will always be grateful for the sisters and brothers in Christ she met during her time as a parishioner. This community, especially her quilting circle, gave her an outlet for her skills and love of service.

Johnnie was first and foremost a mother and caretaker. She gave tirelessly to her family and loved nothing more than hosting them at her home. She is remembered lovingly by not only her children, but her eldest grandchildren who she had a hand in raising.

When her daughter-in-law gave birth to premature twins in 2001, she dropped everything to be there for them in any capacity while the girls fought in the NICU. A few years later when her son was deployed to Iraq, she returned for extended stays to assist in the care for her twin granddaughters. Nobody worked harder at a task set before them than Johnnie. Her indelible spirit stayed with her until her last breath.

Johnnie is survived by her children: Ray Ferguson, Mary Williamson (TV), LTC John Ferguson (Wilda), her grandchildren: Vera Dimilo (Leo), Olivia Wilmot (Tommy Pacello, deceased), Devin and Julia Ferguson, and three great-grandchildren: Gia Dimilo, Colette Pacello, and Cecile Pacello.

Preceding Johnnie in death include her loving husband C. Raymond Ferguson, parents Oliver and John Boggiano, her brother Arthur Boggiano, and her grandson Phillip Ferguson.

The memorial service will be held at Covenant United Methodist Church on November 15 at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Golden Cross Senior. https://goldencross.org/giving/