Ona Elizabeth Voss Ferguson

Funeral services for Ona Elizabeth Ferguson, 97, of Etoile, will be held Friday, August 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Don Lilljedahl officiating. Interment will follow in the Blue Springs Cemetery at Etoile
Our beloved Ona Elizabeth Ferguson, formerly of Jonesboro, Texas died Wednesday, August 24, 2011 in Austin. Mrs. Ferguson was born on November 17, 1913 near Gatesville, Texas. She was the fourth child of five of Walter and Lizzie Voss.
She married Claude Ferguson on June 15, 1932. She had 50 wonderful, loving years with him before his death. They lived in Coryell County, Texas most of their lives together. They moved to Etoile, Texas after retirement in June 1973. She is preceded in death by her husband and two sons, Glendon and Don Ferguson.
Her first and foremost love was always her family. Second to her family, she was a nature lover. She had a special bond with nature. She enjoyed gardening, a beautiful yard and flowers, and feeding and watching the birds. If she had a choice, she would always work outside rather than inside.
She touched the hearts of all who knew her. Our lives are truly blessed and far richer for having shared a life with her.
Survivors include her daughter, Bobbie Lilljedahl and husband Don of Austin; two daughters-in-law, Laverne Ferguson of Etoile and Vivian Ferguson of Fort Worth; seven grandchildren, Ronnie Ferguson, Lorrie Graham, Dianne Eperson, Amye Bockhorn, Richard Lilljedahl, Krista Bryant and Scott Ferguson; eighteen great grandchildren; fifteen great-great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Lee Roy and Doris Voss; as well as a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
This poem was one of her favorite poems and gives one a glimpse of the kind and wonderful person she was:
""You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live today or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that's she's gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she's want: smile, open your years, love and go on.""
Author Unknown (according to London's Poetry Library)
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Ferguson, Scott Ferguson, Sam Bryant, David Bockhorn, Rich Lilljedahl and Charlie Graham.
The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 to 200 p.m. Friday afternoon at the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.
Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors