Martha Ferguson

Funeral services for Martha will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at First Presbyterian Church in Newton. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Friday at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, with the family present from 6 to 7 p.m.  Memorials may be designated in Martha’s name to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or Hospice of Jasper County and may be left at the funeral home or at the church. Martha Lillian Ferguson, 79, the daughter of Walter Calhoun and Evelyn (Jay) Northcutt, was born July 3, 1929, in Newton. She was a graduate of the Newton Senior High School.  Martha was employed by the Maytag Company in Newton, retiring in 1989 from the accounting department. Martha had devoted her life to her family and friends and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, V.F.W. Auxiliary and the Women of the Moose.  Martha died on Wednesday morning, Sept. 17, 2008, in the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center in Newton.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Susan Welcher in 2000; and her seven brothers. Those left to honor Martha’s memory include her long time companion, Lyle Ferguson of Newton; her daughter Lori (Jim) Grimes of Newton; her three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, Jay (Laura) Grimes and Ryan, Jordan, Taylor and Travis, Mary (Brad) Johnson and Wyatt, Peyton and Tanner and Baylee Ward (Adam Bowen) and Aiden; a special niece, Betty Knopf; a “special sister” Gernetha Clement; and her many good neighbors and friends.*