1949
Odie
2017
Odie Ferguson Sr.
January 25, 1949 — May 8, 2017
Odie Deryl Ferguson, Sr., age 68, died peacefully at home on May 8, 2017 and entered his eternal home in Heaven. He will be remembered as a giant of a man, a caring husband, a great daddy, a wonderful pawpaw, a dear brother and uncle, and a fun-loving man with a million friends. Born to O.D. Ferguson and Velma Wheeler Ferguson on January 25, 1949, Deryl spent the majority of his youth in the Mississippi Delta and attended Riverside School in Avon, Mississippi.
Deryl started his work career on the Mississippi River while working with a towing company as a deckhand. Not long after he embarked on life on the river, he met and fell in love with the beautiful, Romie Chaney. Deryl and Romie married on December 18, 1970 at Delta City Baptist Church and began their life in Greenville, MS. It was there that he, a jack of all trades, decided to try his hand at custom painting. His business, Custom Paint Company, was a success and, he expanded his business outside of the Delta and into the Jackson metropolitan area. Soon after, he and Romie began a new life in Brandon. In 1976, at the encouragement of business peers, Deryl began building spec houses. The craftsmanship of his houses was so detailed and fine-lined that he soon was building only custom homes. His company, Deryl Ferguson Builder, operated for 20 years before going into a partnership with his only son, Dee Ferguson. Together, Deryl Ferguson Builder and Son, worked side by side on a daily basis planning and constructing some of the most beautiful homes in the state, as well as several area residential developments. He was an active member of the Home Builders Association and had a number of his homes featured in the Parade of Homes throughout the years.
In his past time, Deryl was an avid sportsman. Summers were spent with his family at their cabin on Eagle Lake in Vicksburg where they enjoyed fishing. Deer season was always eagerly anticipated and was enjoyed at their camp in Lexington. Deryl was an active member of The Exchange Club of Brandon and spent many hours coaching his daughters’ softball teams and his son’s football teams over the years. He also had a passion for cooking and, in his later years owned and operated Deerfields Restaurant and Deerfields Jr. in Lexington, as well as Magnolia Steakhouse in Brandon. His outgoing personality attracted a wealth of friends and many good times were always had and precious memories were sure to be made in his company.
Deryl is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Romie Chaney Ferguson, and their children Bridgid Ferguson Berry (Robert), Derilyn Ferguson Geddie, and Odie Deryl "Dee" Ferguson, Jr. (Lauren). He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Madeleine Rome Berry, Jaylyn Paris Geddie, Gretchen Autry Geddie, Kadence Leigh Banaka, and William Deryl Ferguson. Other survivors include his sisters, Frances Horne, Dovie Neese (H.S.), Helen Evans, Erma Fortenberry (Wrighty), Ruby Bowman, Lois Foote, Beryl Bostian (Sam), and Tina Hembree, and a host of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, O.D. and Velma Ferguson, his sister, Joyce Lillian Ferguson, his and Romie's daughter, Gretchen Rome Ferguson, and his only brother, Buford O’Neal "Sonny" Ferguson.
Visitation will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, Mississippi on May 10, 2017 from 5pm until 8pm and on May 11, 2017 at 9am. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the chapel at Ott and Lee on May 11, 2017 at 10am and officiated by Reverend Bob Johnson and Deryl's nephew, Mark Bowman. A graveside ceremony will be held on May 11, 2017 at 2:30pm at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Greenville, Mississippi.
The family wishes to thank Hospice Ministries and the University of Mississippi Medical Center for their loving care and kind service. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Fred Parker for his extraordinary friendship and compassion to Deryl throughout the years.
Deryl started his work career on the Mississippi River while working with a towing company as a deckhand. Not long after he embarked on life on the river, he met and fell in love with the beautiful, Romie Chaney. Deryl and Romie married on December 18, 1970 at Delta City Baptist Church and began their life in Greenville, MS. It was there that he, a jack of all trades, decided to try his hand at custom painting. His business, Custom Paint Company, was a success and, he expanded his business outside of the Delta and into the Jackson metropolitan area. Soon after, he and Romie began a new life in Brandon. In 1976, at the encouragement of business peers, Deryl began building spec houses. The craftsmanship of his houses was so detailed and fine-lined that he soon was building only custom homes. His company, Deryl Ferguson Builder, operated for 20 years before going into a partnership with his only son, Dee Ferguson. Together, Deryl Ferguson Builder and Son, worked side by side on a daily basis planning and constructing some of the most beautiful homes in the state, as well as several area residential developments. He was an active member of the Home Builders Association and had a number of his homes featured in the Parade of Homes throughout the years.
In his past time, Deryl was an avid sportsman. Summers were spent with his family at their cabin on Eagle Lake in Vicksburg where they enjoyed fishing. Deer season was always eagerly anticipated and was enjoyed at their camp in Lexington. Deryl was an active member of The Exchange Club of Brandon and spent many hours coaching his daughters’ softball teams and his son’s football teams over the years. He also had a passion for cooking and, in his later years owned and operated Deerfields Restaurant and Deerfields Jr. in Lexington, as well as Magnolia Steakhouse in Brandon. His outgoing personality attracted a wealth of friends and many good times were always had and precious memories were sure to be made in his company.
Deryl is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Romie Chaney Ferguson, and their children Bridgid Ferguson Berry (Robert), Derilyn Ferguson Geddie, and Odie Deryl "Dee" Ferguson, Jr. (Lauren). He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Madeleine Rome Berry, Jaylyn Paris Geddie, Gretchen Autry Geddie, Kadence Leigh Banaka, and William Deryl Ferguson. Other survivors include his sisters, Frances Horne, Dovie Neese (H.S.), Helen Evans, Erma Fortenberry (Wrighty), Ruby Bowman, Lois Foote, Beryl Bostian (Sam), and Tina Hembree, and a host of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, O.D. and Velma Ferguson, his sister, Joyce Lillian Ferguson, his and Romie's daughter, Gretchen Rome Ferguson, and his only brother, Buford O’Neal "Sonny" Ferguson.
Visitation will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, Mississippi on May 10, 2017 from 5pm until 8pm and on May 11, 2017 at 9am. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the chapel at Ott and Lee on May 11, 2017 at 10am and officiated by Reverend Bob Johnson and Deryl's nephew, Mark Bowman. A graveside ceremony will be held on May 11, 2017 at 2:30pm at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Greenville, Mississippi.
The family wishes to thank Hospice Ministries and the University of Mississippi Medical Center for their loving care and kind service. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Fred Parker for his extraordinary friendship and compassion to Deryl throughout the years.
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