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Wilhelmina Ferguson, 93

Wilhelmina Ferguson, 93, of Portsmouth, passed away Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, at Golden Years Convalescent Center. She was born May 10, 1919, in Union, S.C., a daughter of the late Jasper and Lizzie Farr Rice.

Wilhelmina was a member of the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, where she was in the choir. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Sheba Chapter 14. She retired as a teacher from the Portsmouth City Schools where she taught for 27 years, and she was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and the state and local Retired Teachers Association. Wilhelmina received her undergraduate degree from Allen University in Columbia, SC, and she had done graduate work at OSU.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ferguson was also preceded in death by her husband Ralph Tyler Ferguson on May 7, 1992. They were married in Portsmouth on Aug. 20, 1960.

Surviving are two daughters; Dr. Helaine Daniels of Providence, R.I. and Alece (Brent) Cowen of Portsmouth; a step-daughter, Gloria Jean Ferguson of Miami, Fla.; two grandchildren, Tyler Richburg of Portsmouth, and Olayinka Oredugba Cooper of Providence, R.I.; her great-grandson, Daniel Cooper; and two sisters, Lena R. Love and Dorothy Gist both of Union, S.C.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Cornell and David Rice; and two sisters, Louisa Pearson and Evelyn Walker.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church with Rev. Isaiah Haille officiating with interment following in Scioto Burial Park. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour.

Arrangements are under the direction of the RALPH F. SCOTT FUNERAL HOME in Portsmouth.

Online condolences may be sent to www.RalphFScott.com.