Norma Jean Ferguson, a former Henryetta resident, died May 31, 2023 at the age of 83. She was born Aug. 4, 1939 in Kinta to Marshall Quinton and Delma Viola Quinton.
She was raised in Henryetta and graduated from Henryetta high school in 1957. She married Tim Ferguson May 31, 1958 in Henryetta. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Master of Science Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Phillips University. She did post graduate studies at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama. Norma spent five years with the Enid Public Schools as a first-grade teacher at Hoover Elementary School. Norma achieved the status of Licensed Professional Counselor in 1966. Her career in the mental health field spanned over 52 years. She served in numerous offices of the then-named “American Association of Mental Retardation” and earned accolades and “Fellow Status” for her professional service. She was honored with awards for outstanding achievements and contributions to the field. Norma was recognized for “Meritorious Contribution” to the field of Developmental Disabilities in the twentieth Century. Additionally, she was appointed by the Governor to serve on several state committees on Strategic Planning on services for the intellectually disabled. She was a proud member of the Enid Junior Welfare League and P.E.O. Chapter FS. She has served as a Board Member of the Garfield County Mental Health Association, Phillips University Alumni Association, American Red Cross, Campfire Girls, Hedges Community Speech and Hearing Center, and Enid YWCA. She served on the Judicial Nomination Commission for the State of Oklahoma.
Norma was the recipient of the Enid YWCA “Volunteer of the Year Award” and the “YWCA Woman of the Year Award”. The Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, Inc. honored her with the prestigious Frances Hesselbein Award. She cherished receiving the Chapter FS Lifetime P.E.O. Star Award.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jack, who died at a young age; brother, Rex and wife Myrtle Lou Buzan; sister, Susie, and husband, Wendell Hurt; sister-in-law, Beth Humphrey and husband Jim; brother-in-law, Paul Ferguson; sister-in-law, Marilyn Ferguson; and nephew, Bill Ferguson.
Norma is survived by her husband of 65 years, Tim Ferguson; daughter, Tamara; son, Eric and wife Teresa; and son-in-law, Jeff Hermen; six grandchildren: Taylar Ferguson Lentz and husband Casey, Kaitlyn Ferguson, Aubrey Hermen and fiancé Michael Bussow, Zane Hermen, Noah Ferguson and Ezra Ferguson; great-grandsons, Lincoln and Levi Lentz; sister, Marcelene and husband Ellis, of Clear Lake, TX; nieces and nephews: Kim, Julie, Lou Ann, Marshall, Pam, Lisa, Laura, Lanna, Debra, Donna, and their families.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. June 7, 2023 in the Central Christian Church in Enid with re. Susan Payne and re. Don Johnson co-officiating. Services and complete cremation care are under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to P.E.O. Chapter FS to help underwrite a student scholarship, Ferguson Center (Love Fund) at Billings Fairchild Center or Central Christian Church with Brown-Cummings Funeral Home serving as the custodian of the funds at 400 W. Maple, Enid, Okla. 73701.