Sallie Ferrell

Sallie Murdock Glass Ferrell, 80, died Feb. 8 in Wiggins, Mississippi.

She was a native of Greenville South Carolina, a daughter of Robert Q. Glass Jr. and Sallie M. Glass, and the wife of Thomas E. Ferrell.

As a youth, she was a talented pianist, and she built enduring friendships with her classmates at Greenville Sr. High School. Sallie studied at Winthrop College and Furman University.

Sallie's adult life is a story full of adventures, family, love and faith. Shortly after her marriage to Philip H. Randall, she accompanied her new husband on his Army assignment to Ethiopia. It was particularly exciting and interesting to Sallie in that her husband was assigned to top secret work with the National Security Agency. She worked as an English teacher there in a private Italian school.

It was an experience that she spoke of so often, sharing vivid stories of the sights, sounds and people of that far away nation. Her unanticipated temporary return to the States upon the death of her father turned into an amazingly challenging travel that only Sallie could recount so colorfully.

After returning home, she and Phil had two daughters, Ruth and Sallie Jean. Phil's college education and work career took the family from Indiana to Maryland and Mississippi. She held several interesting jobs along the way and regularly traveled extensively to be with other family members during holidays and vacations.

Sallie remarried in Mississippi to William S. Fuller, and became the stepmother of another daughter, Lisa. They spent several years of their marriage in the Washington, D.C., area before returning to Long Beach, MS. They shared many travel ventures together and raised the three girls to young adulthood.

After the death of Bill, Sallie married for the third time, becoming the wife of Thomas Earl Ferrell of Corpus Christi, TX. She then became the stepmother to three more adult daughters: Sheila, Amy and Leslie. Tom and Sallie traveled extensively across Europe. They focused primarily on Italy, deeply charmed by the vibrancy of that nation, its food, culture, architecture and warm people.

Sallie and Tom lived in Texas for several years until he retired as an architect. Because he is a licensed minister, Sallie was involved extensively in church activities, serving as a deacon in South Shore Christian Church and on its administrative staff. She also served in multiple leadership roles in the Walk to Emaus program, including that of Lay Director. She was on the board of directors for Corpus Christi Live civic organization and was a member of the Kiwanis Club. Sallie belonged to PEO civic organizations in Corpus Christi and Gulfport, MS.

In all her adventures, Sallie became an excellent hostess and greatly enjoyed holding events for her family and friends. Just before Christmas 2024, a book of her life stories was published, so that she could share her abundant experiences with her children and large family.

Sallie gave unbounded love and attention to her beloved pets over the years. And she went through life always dressed fashionably, with a keen eye for appropriate accessories.

She was a genuinely caring person who devoted much energy to helping other people solve problems in life or navigate difficult times. Her focus on her family was unyielding, and her compassion for others was inspirational. Her faith in God was unshakable.

She had been in declining health, including dementia, for about two years.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert Q. Glass III.

Survivors include her husband of almost 24 years, Tom; her daughters, Ruth Randall Covey and Sallie Jean Randall Haddox, both of the Hattiesburg, MS., area; stepdaughters Lisa Fuller Medley (Keller, TX); Amy Ferrell Smith (Taft, TX) and Sheila Ferrell (Corpus Christi, TX).; Leslie Mansell (Sulphur, LA); and a sister, Mary Glass Seiley of the Greenville, S.C. area.

She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 13 nieces and nephews.

A reception and memorial service will be held Feb. 15 at Central Christian Church where she was a member, in Hattiesburg. The reception begins at 1 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the national Alzheimer's Association.

A graveside service will be held at a future date in Springwood Cemetery, Greenville, S.C.