Barbara (Yancey) Ferguson

Barbara (Yancey) Ferguson, 76, of Newburgh, IN, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2020, at home. She was born January 12, 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Barb graduated from Texas Women’s University in 1966 and earned her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville in 1969. She was a supporter of the Kent School of Social Work as an alumnus leader, teacher and advocate and a proud member of NASW.

Barb enjoyed reading, travelling, learning, leading and discovering another’s point of view. She traveled with her grandchildren on birthday trips, with her friends all over the world and with her church on mission work.

Grounded in faith and social justice, Barb invigorated the community with her willingness to lead and develop.  Barb was an active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, serving as a chair for various committees, as Clerk of Session, as a delegate for Presbytery and as a commissioned lay pastor.  Barb was also instrumental in Ohio Valley Presbytery serving as Moderator of Presbytery and working on various committees including the church plant committee and moderator for Park Memorial.  Within the community she used her leadership talents to guide various community boards including Hillcrest, 4-C and Tres Dias.

Her career spanned the gamut of opportunities within social work and education.  Key moments of this career included teaching and field directing for the University of Louisville and University of Southern Indiana, working for Mulberry Center as a therapist and trauma specialist, planting the Barrett Center alternative program, and directing Westminster preschool where she initiated a kindergarten program. As the 2017 USI Field Service Award recipient, Barb acknowledged, “I don’t know of anything I’ve enjoyed more than being able to identify myself as a social worker, anything that’s given me more gratification than people willing to share their lives with me, both clients and students.”

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Paula Viner (Brandon); son, Stephen “Yancey” Ferguson (Kelly); grandchildren, Noah, Samuel, Parker, Lilly, Garrett and Hayden; niece, Shannon Pritchett (Walter) and nephew, Sean Yancey (Mary). 

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Stephen C. Ferguson, her parents, Harold and May (Dickson) Yancey, her brother, John Yancey, and her sister, Elizabeth Yancey.

In gratitude for a life who focused on seeing from another’s viewpoint, we would like to celebrate Barb by allowing you to honor her as you are comfortable. All parts of the celebration will be held at Eastminister Presbyterian Church, 5501 Washington Ave, Evansville, IN, on Saturday, June 27, 2020. From 2-4 pm, we will have two options: Drive through memorial and an Outdoor Tribute.

Drive Through Memorial – Enjoy all that she was and became while in the comfort of your own car. Outdoor Tribute- Along the sidewalk you will find Barbs story. Please park and meander at your own pace. If your heart wishes to speak to the family, you will find us on the lawn. Enjoy the “Barbara’s Journey” playlist her grandson made her for chemo days. For either option, we hope you will share your story on our celebration cards. At 3:45 pm we will have prelude music. You are welcome to move inside for worship.

At 4:00 pm the Celebration of Life worship service will begin with Reverend Dr. Dennis Davenport officiating. Please adorn a mask. Burial will be Private.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: “Friends of 318” payable to 1043 Fulton, Inc., 1043 Fulton Avenue Evansville IN 47710.

Arrangements are being handled by BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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