Steve McFerron

ATHENS, Ga. - Jack Steven "Steve" McFerron, 74, was in that number when the saints marched in on April 13, 2024. He relocated from Jonesboro to Athens, Ga., in 2020. Steve was born Oct. 26, 1949, in Osaka, Japan to Jack Leon McFerron and Lucie Morris McFerron (Abel).

He will be remembered as a banker, coach, role model, mentor and friend. His banking career in Northeast Arkansas spanned 38 years at Mercantile Bank, Citizens Bank, MidSouth Bank and BancorpSouth, all in Jonesboro, as well as First National Bank in Blytheville.

Steve received his undergraduate degree in 1971 and his Master of Business Administration in 1974, both from Arkansas State University. He remained loyal to Arkansas State as a 1924 Sustaining Life Member of the A-State Alumni Association, College of Business advisory board, ASU Foundation investment committee and Kappa Alpha Order chapter adviser and house corporation chairman. He was honored as the College of Business Outstanding Alumnus in 1994 and by the Alumni Association in 2008 as a Distinguished Alumnus.

An avid sports fan, Steve rarely missed an A-State football or basketball game at home or away. He was president of both the Indian Club and Red Wolf Club. In 1997, an ASU cheerleading scholarship in Martha's honor was endowed by him. He also liked to cheer for his son's alma mater, the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Steve loved coaching youth sports beginning with YMCA grade-school basketball all the way through to the Jonesboro Baseball Boosters Babe Ruth League. He was especially proud of the South Elementary Panthers and Jonesboro Jammers AAU basketball teams.

As a community man, Steve served on numerous civic and church boards in Jonesboro: City Water and Light, First United Methodist Church, Public Schools Board of Education, Regional Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and University Heights Lions Club. He was named the Jonesboro Jaycees Outstanding Young Man in 1980 and was a Catfish Club member.

Following his retirement in 2012, New Orleans became a favorite destination. Steve and Martha enjoyed spending time at their oasis while attending Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras parades, multiple festivals and following the New Orleans Saints.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Martha Wofford McFerron; his son, Matt (Regina Mandell) of Athens; stepsiblings, Maggie Abel (Frank Boyd) and Tamara Winkler (David), both of Oklahoma City and Bryan Abel (Linda) of Coos Bay, Ore., sister-in-law, Jane W. Porter of Irving, Texas; along with nieces, Cary, Dusty, Kaycee, Khari and Tanya, and nephews, Austin, Dylan, Henry, Jesse and Josh.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Charles G. Abel, brother-in-law, Todd Porter and grandparents, Charles E. and Pansy McFerron and Ben Morris and Minnie Maude Morris Moore.

Steve's life will be celebrated on May 23 at the Embassy Suites Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro.

Memorials may be made to Agape Hospice Care of Clarke County, LLC, 2350 Prince Ave., Suite 5, Athens, GA 30606; the A-State Red Wolves Foundation, P.O. Box 2219, State University 72467; or First United Methodist Church, 801 S. Main St., Jonesboro 72401.

Bernstein Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.