Mary Louise Masterson

Mary Louise Masterson passed away July 9, 2014 at Alpha House memory care facility in Ashland, Virginia, where she resided since July 2009. She was age 86. Born July 1, 1928, in Maryville, Tenn., to Annis Winifred (Smelcer) Bryant and Charles Blanton Bryant, she walked to Fort Craig Elementary School and "all over town," as she fondly remembered. Graduating from Maryville High School, she enjoyed the artistry and horticulture of her distributive education, learning floristry beside those at Fox Florist. After graduation, Louise married on June 2, 1947 her husband of 41 years, Jack A. Ferguson (born Fred Lee Ferguson) of Tellico Plains, Tenn. They were members of First Christian Church of Maryville, where Louise began a satisfying and joyful five-decade career as a Bible teacher to many children in many churches. Generations of Sunday schoolers loved her and her classes. While her husband studied for his engineering degree at the University of Tennessee, Louise supported them working at the local telephone company. She then dedicated herself to being an excellent wife, mother and homemaker, for which she is very lovingly and caringly remembered. Over the years, Louise moved with her husband's career from Tennessee to Michigan, California, West Virginia, Illinois and Virginia, landing in retirement in Hemet, California, where she made many friends, especially through church. Her faith remained an abiding source of strength and pleasure to her even in her last days. She enjoyed knowledgeably discussing Bible topics, singing hymns, and praying with all she met. She is survived by her children, son Mark Ferguson(Ginny) of Richmond, Va.; and daughters Carol Stephens-Fortner (Bill) of Lanexa, Va., and Jeri Jahnke (Jerome) of Oswego, Ill.; four grandchildren: Bryant Stephens, John Stephens, Noah Ferguson and John Ferguson; and one great grandchild Johnathan Ferguson. Also surviving are three sisters: Geneva Pearl Pedigo and Iva Jeanette Payne of Maryville, Tenn., and Carolyn Cox of Friendsville, Tenn. Preceding Louise in death were her parents; husband, Jack; and second husband, Charles Masterson of Hemet, California. She also was preceded in death by her sister Wilma Bryant and brothers Charles Blanton Bryant Jr. and Lowell Robert Bryant, all of Maryville, Tenn. Family and friends will meet Wednesday, July 16, at 11:00 a.m. at Nelson Chapel Church of Christ Cemetery, 5039 Six Mile Road, Maryville, TN, for a graveside service. Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charitable organization. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, TN (865)982-6812. Condolences may be sent to www.mccammonammonsclick.com