Almedia Jewell Ferguson

Almedia Jewell Ferguson (70) passed away Friday September 26, after a courageous battle with cancer. Holding her husband's hand, and surrounded by family and friends, she passed peacefully at Big Bend Hospice. Jewell was born December 6, 1954, in Lake City, Florida the daughter of the late Burton Jewel Byrant and the late Mabel Naomi Coats. She was the middle child of five siblings. Jewell graduated from Columbia High School in 1972 and received an AA degree from Lake City Community College (now Gateway College). She was an accomplished and talented artist working in paints, ceramics and stained glass. She met the love of her life, Larry Ferguson, III, on September 25, 1970, and the high school sweethearts married on October 5, 1974, enjoying 51 years of loving and happy marriage. They lived in Lake City until September 1985, when they moved to their new home in Tallahassee, where they raised their two wonderful children, son, Larry Ferguson, IV and daughter, LeErin Ferguson. Jewell retired from the State of Florida, after a career that included service in the Governor's office and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She was dedicated to her church, Lake Jackson United Methodist, where she, over the years, served as Youth Director, sang in the choir, and was Treasurer and Finance Chair. She was best known for the twice a year yard sales, supporting church missions. Jewell and Larry enjoyed travelling with their family and dear friends John and Phyllis Pearce and Sharon Mukoyama; visiting most of the 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America. Jewell was predeceased by her parents, her brother Clark Bryant, sister, Doris Knight, and her beloved granddaughter Heidi Renee Ferguson. She is survived by her husband, Larry, III; son, Larry IV (Leslie); daughter, LeErin; grandsons, Sean Ferguson and Colin Ferguson; her sister, Carolyn Brady, and brother Mark Bryant. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Gene Knight and sister-in-law Merris Ferguson Pappas and numerous uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of Jewell's life will be held at Lake Jackson United Methodist Church, 4423 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida, on October 11 at 10:30am. The family requests that gifts of remembrance be given to Lake Jackson United Methodist Church. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).