Joseph Stevens Ferrell

September 11, 1938 - January 29, 2025

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Joseph Stevens Ferrell died on January 29, 2025. Joe is survived by Joseph Peter Fama, his husband and partner of 58 years. He is also survived by his sister, Frances Ferrell Pollock of Charlotte, two nieces, Alison Pollock Ingersoll of Cary, and Lauren Pollock Linnick of Charlotte, and nephew Michael Pollock of Winston-Salem.

Joe was born on September 11, 1938, the son of Joseph Franklin Ferrell and Bertie Morgan Ferrell, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He displayed a talent for keyboard instruments at an early age, and before he graduated high school, was an organist at houses of worship in the Elizabeth City area. In the early '50s, he took part in a family trip to Chapel Hill, and got his first glimpse of UNC, his father's alma mater. One of his first impressions included the red clay soil, so different from the sandy black soil of his native Pasquotank County. He brought home a clump of it and vowed someday to return to Chapel Hill to study. He did so, and with the exception of a year in New Haven, never left. In 1956 he entered the class of 1960 and earned a B.S. in Science Teaching, an LL.B from UNC Law in 1963, and then an LL.M from Yale. In 1964 he joined the faculty at the Institute (now School) of Government at UNC.

While in his undergraduate years, Joe was drawn to the liturgy and the music of The Chapel of the Cross, where he frequently served as organist. His love for the church was to last through his lifetime, and found him an integral part of the parish as vestryman, Secretary of the Diocese, and finally as a member of the Executive Council of the national church.

Joe's career at UNC spanned 52 years. From his earliest years, he served on the Committee on University Government, while teaching and researching at the Institute. Early scholarship produced a definitive work entitled County Government, and its subsequent editions, a meaningful reference for county attorneys and administrators. Joe was a dedicated editor of the Legislative Reporting Service, serving the State during many legislative sessions. His service to the State and the University brought him several honors: the Thomas Jefferson Award, the Massey Award, and a Distinguished Alumni Service award. He held the office of Secretary of The Faculty from 1996 to 2016.

The Joes as many people knew them, were constant house renovators, either in Chapel Hill or on the coast where they enjoyed over forty years of getaways. They could often be found doing much of the work themselves, while always in the company of their long line of canine companions. One of their greatest passions held in common was a devotion to grand opera. They were, and remain, supporters of the Met Opera Guild and were ever present at live transmissions of the Saturday matinee performances. Many will recall the melodious canter of Joe's Tidewater brogue at commencements, University Day and church services. Joe was quick to smile, quick to laugh, and pleased to help those who sought his counsel.

A debt of sincere gratitude is owed to Reina Leon, who organized a team including herself of loving and gifted friends to care for Joe in the last eight months of his life.

Memorials may be addressed to the Arts & Sciences Fund of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the organ fund at The Chapel of the Cross, the Met Opera Guild, or Chatham Animal Rescue and Education.

Memorial service will be on February 19, 2025 at 1pm at The Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer from Feb. 4 to Feb. 9, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Ferrell

2 Entries

Doug Ferguson

February 14, 2025

Joe and Joe were amazing friends and an amazing source of support for me when I attended Carolina WAY back in the 1990s. Joe Ferrell made me my first gin martini (dry and perfectly mixed, of course!), and the Joes opened up my world by introducing me to so many of their amazing friends at parties in their home and around the pool at 1 Iris Lane. I regret that I have not maintained close contact with the Joes since I moved to Chicago in 1996, but look forward to seeing Joe Fama on February 19 and reconnecting despite the sad circumstances. My heart goes out to you, Joe Fama, and to all of Joe Ferrell's family and other loved ones!

Gail Murrow

February 5, 2025

My husband, Rich, and I have known Joe and his husband for years, and I think we agree that Joe is one of the most accomplished persons and academics we have ever known personally. He also had extraordinary character and integrity. To be in the company of "Joe & Joe," the couple, was a rare treat, as both were very knowledgable, clever, and engaged in a witty, yet warm, repartee. Their relationship was an inspiration. One day, my husband asked me, just offhand, "Who is the smartest person you know?" I answered, without thinking about it, "Joe Ferrell." I think my husband's feelings might have been a bit hurt, as he'd just published a paper, but he didn't disagree. I've recently read that some of Joe's colleagues, at the University of North Carolina, described him as "scary smart," and that's the exact phrase by which I described him to my husband after first working with him on our HOA Board. Joe kindly offered to serve as president at a difficult time, and he dealt with all manner of minutia, including sometimes heated complaints from homeowners about the procedure in which he conducted the meetings. Joe always kept his calm and responded to all in a polite, dignified, and respectful manner. I did not know at the time, nor did most people there, I would guess, that Joe was likely North Carolina's foremost legal expert in parliamentary procedure.

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