Barbara O'Dell Ferguson

Barbara O'Dell Ferguson, age 91, died Saturday, April 1, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center of complications from a stroke and COVID. She was a gentle, soft-spoken and kind person–a true lady. For 39 years–from 1973 to 2012--she served as a "Pink Lady" in the volunteer auxiliary at the former St. Mary's Hospital. In this volunteer role, she and five friends worked on Tuesdays, delivering mail and flowers to patients. In 2012, Barbara retired at the age of 80. In the mid-1980s, she served as a volunteer registrar with the Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau, greeting and registering convention delegates. In earlier years, before she and her husband started a family in 1957, she worked for several years as a teller at Home Federal Bank when it was known as Home Federal Savings and Loan Association. Barbara was a 1950 graduate of Central High School and a longtime member of Church Street United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Don K. Ferguson; daughters, Donna Ferguson Abraham and Julia Ferguson Sease and husband, David; grandchildren, Keith Abraham and wife, Jessica; John Abraham and wife, Stephanie; Carrie Sease Osborne and husband, Matthew; and Marilyn Sease Johnson and husband, Connor; three great-granddaughters, Evelyn and Ava Abraham, and Collins Osborne, all of Knoxville; and several nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her brothers, S. Robert O'Dell and Charles O'Dell; son-in-law, T.J. Abraham Jr.; and her parents, A.H. and Carrie O'Dell of Knoxville. Family and friends may call at their convenience at either Rose – Broadway or Rose – Mann. Memorials in Barbara's name may be made to Church Street United Methodist Church, www.churchstreetumc.org, or Young-Williams Animal Center, www.young-williams.org. A private graveside service will be held to honor the life and legacy of Barbara, with Rev. James Bailes officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com