Mary Lee Ferguson

Mary Lee Ferguson of Vardaman, MS, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on April 21, 2026, at the age of 69, at Baptist Memorial Hospital Calhoun in Calhoun City, Mississippi. Born on August 30, 1956, in Vardaman, MS, she dedicated her life to caring for others, both in her personal life and her career.

Mary proudly owned and operated Big Momma's House Daycare for 26 years, where she nurtured and loved countless children as if they were her own. She once expressed, "When I had my daycare, I loved all my kids as if they were mine; I hope the parents knew this." Before opening Big Momma's House, Mary had a long-standing career at Haworth, working for 21 years. Mary took great joy in her work and cherished the relationships she built over the years.

She married her soulmate, Tom Ferguson, on December 14, 1984, and together they created a loving home in the Elzey community of Vardaman, where they have resided since their marriage. Mary was a proud mother to her daughters, Danielle Johnson of Vardaman, MS and Alicia Ferguson of New Iberia, LA, and a loving grandmother to EnJoli Ferguson and Dylan Decuior. She is also survived by her brothers, Earnest Goodson of Calhoun City, MS, Thomas Earl Goodson of Bruce, MS, John Goodson of Calhoun City, MS, and David Goodson of Calhoun City, MS; her sisters, Frances Snyder of Bruce, MS, and Maudie McFerrin of Calhoun City, MS; son-in-law, Derek Decuior of New Iberia, LA and a great-grandchild.

A funeral service celebrating Mary's life will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM in Vardaman, MS in the Chapel of Parker Memorial Funeral Home with Bro. Chris Duncan officiating. A visitation will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Vardaman, MS. Following the service, Mary will be laid to rest at Rocky Mount Cemetery in Pittsboro, MS. Serving as pallbearers will include Andy Fortner, Dallas Goodson, Howard Goodson, Jonathan Goodson, Alex Hall, Andrew Hamilton, Jonathan Payne and Eric Tedder. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dylan Decuior, Landers Fortner, Lawson Fortner, Liam Fortner, Cannan Goodson, Dusty Goodson, Eli Goodson, Brooks Hall, Grayson Hall, Emery Tedder and Fulton Tedder.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The Dog Lover's League in Bruce, MS, honoring Mary's love for her dogs and her commitment to animal welfare.

Mary Lee Ferguson will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered for her kindness, her love, and her passion for her furry companions that brought her so much joy.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, William Thomas "Tom" Goodson; her mother, Francis Lorine Collums Goodson; her grandparents, John Leslie and Maude Goodson and Earnest and Mattie Collums; her father-in-law, Leo Ferguson, and her mother-in-law, Bernice Ferguson.

The staff of Parker Memorial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ferguson family as they walk through this season of loss. We ask that you keep them, in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the passing of their loved one.

Dog Lover's League
C/O Rose Wells
135 Easley Ave.
Bruce, MS 38915