ASHTON G. FERGUSON

1917 - 2016

Ashton G. Ferguson Stovall, wife, mother, proud grandmother, social change agent and civil rights activist, died peacefully surrounded by her family on June 30th, 2016. On August 12, 1917, Ashton was the second daughter of six girls born to Gurnett (Cap) and Lily Foster Ferguson of Charleston W.VA. She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1934 and was awarded the honor of Valedictorian. Majoring in Sociology and Psychology, Ashton graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Virginia State College in 1938. In college she was a member of the Student Council and editor of the school paper. She was elected President of both the Scholastic Honor Society and of her sorority Delta Sigma Theta. Having a deep thirst for learning and knowledge, she earned a graduate degree in Sociology in 1940 at Fisk University and later did post graduate work at Columbia and New York University in 1944 – an unusual feat for a woman during this era. Ashton's professional career started in 1940 when she was selected to work with the Congregational Church Home Mission to implement a network of public education programs for black students in the rural south. This was new and innovative for its time. Later, she was an educator in several schools in Florida and Alabama and taught Sociology at Le Moyne College in Memphis. She married the love of her life, Chester E Stovall, Sr. in 1946, had 4 children and combined family, community and professional activities. Living in St Louis from 1946 to 1964, Ashton was the Executive Director of the Peoples Art Center and fostered the diversified children's program. She was on the West-End Community Conference Board, the first nationally recognized program to encourage diversity within urban schools, businesses and services. Ashton was a key member of the Parent Community Committee. This distinguished organization worked with the St. Louis Public School System to implement the Brown vs. Topeka decision in St. Louis, which was pivotal for the advancement of civil rights in St. Louis. Moving to Kansas City with her husband and family in 1964 when her husband Chester became the Chief Executive of one of the first Anti-Poverty Programs in the United States, Ashton found a city where she made great contributions. As a National Parent Consultant for the Head Start Program, she travelled nationally to establish and monitor parent involvement programs. She was a consultant for a model HMO in Colorado and Nebraska and became the Director for the Quality Integrated Education Program. From 1970 – 1980 she was the Co-President of the Public Education Association, the group responsible for filing and winning Kansas City's desegregation suit decided by the Supreme Court. As a community volunteer, Ashton's contributions are too numerous to list. A few of her prestigious roles were: President of the Kansas City Mayor's Advisory Council on Human Relations, President of the Kansas City Commission on the Status of Women, Chair of the United Way and March of Dimes, member of Operation PUSH and PUSH Excel in the public schools, and an eight year member of Missouri's Commission on Civil Rights. Married for almost 50 years, Chester precedes her. She leaves a "proud of my mother" family of four children who mourn and celebrate her life; Chester, Jr. (Edith) of Leawood, KS; Beverly Murphy (Jerome) of Dallas, TX; Dr. Carole Stovall of Washington DC; James Stovall of Kansas City; Marsha Stovall, daughter in law, along with grandchildren Tiffany, Michelle Stovall; Ashley, Shaun Murphy; Jami, Jordan, Jewell Stovall and Vincent Harris (Veronica). She also has great-grandchildren Timothy Childs, Tyler Bell, Zoe and Elijah Harris along with close cousins, nieces, nephews, life long friends and a sister Barbara Sisco Hill. Please join the family at a memorial service celebrating her life to be held on Saturday, July 16th at St James United Methodist Church at 5540 Wayne Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110. There will be Fellowship from 10 AM with a service to follow at 11 AM. Donations may be made in her name and sent to St James United Methodist musical ministry at 5540 Wayne Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110 or Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church Musical Ministry 124 Marshall Ave, Dunbar, WVA 25064. Arr: LAJ & Sons Funeral Chapels (816) 921-1800