Judith E. "Judy" Ferguson

Judith Elizabeth "Judy" (known as Mimi to her family) Ferguson, 87, of Staunton, and formerly of Orrville, OH, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at The Legacy at North Augusta.

Born on June 16, 1938, in Orrville, Ohio, Judy was the daughter of the late Melvin Jacob Benjamin and Elizabeth Marie (Burkholder) Hostetler. She graduated from Orrville High School in 1956 and married Paul Russell Ferguson on June 10 of that same year. They shared 52 years of marriage before Paul's passing in 2009.

Judy began working at Smith Dairy during high school and later became a Keypunch Operator on the Gift Box Line at The J.M. Smucker Company. After moving to Georgia, she spent several years working with Eli Whitt Wholesale Company before retiring to provide childcare for her grandchildren.

A lifelong person of faith, Judy was a devoted member of Orrville Mennonite Church, where she played the organ, and shared her musical gifts at several other congregations as well. She also sang with the Unity Singers of Wooster and found joy in her membership in the Red Hat Society. Among her many interests were bird watching, cooking, and swimming. Her warmth, creativity, and kindness touched many.

She is survived by her four children: Deborah Johnson of LaGrange, GA; Paul William (Katherine) Ferguson of Akron, OH; Susan (Steven) Waybill of Staunton, VA; and Timothy (Carol) Ferguson of Hamilton, GA. She was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren: Jessica (Brooks) Moorhead, Forrest (Shannon) Johnson, Buffy (Chris) Dekmar, Christian (Skye) Johnson, Molly (Matt) Parker, Katherine (John) Horst, Mike (Hannah) Ferguson, David (Elizabeth) Waybill, and Cami (Paige) Mattaliano-Ferguson. She also leaves behind sixteen beloved great-grandchildren: Hardy, Geneva, Daniel, Gunner, Rent, Lillian, Margo, Theo, Henry, Asher, Shepherd, Judah, Elliot, Natalia, Marigold, and Ellie.

Also surviving are her sister, Janet (Paul) Swartzentruber of Delaware, OH; her sisters-in-law, Phyllis Ann Hostetler of Orrville, and Marilyn Ferguson of Wooster; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and her cherished cat, Patti.

In addition to her parents and husband, Judy was preceded in death by her grandson, Trent Ferguson, her brother, Wendell Ray Hostetler, and son-in-law, Clark Johnson.

Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Orrville Mennonite Church, 1305 W. Market Street, Orrville. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Bill Seymour officiating. A private burial will take place earlier that day at Congress Cemetery in West Salem.

Memorial contributions may be made to Orrville Mennonite Church, 1305 W. Market Street, Orrville, OH 44667, or online at orrvillemenno.net.