Shirlene Ann Ferguson

Age 68, was surrounded by her family when she passed away in Albuquerque, NM on Friday, March, 21st, 2014. A native of Elgin, Texas, she resided in New Mexico since 1983. Shirlene is preceded in death by her husband, Will Ferguson, who passed away last May. She is survived by her son, Jason Ferguson and wife, Yvonne of Honolulu, HI; her son David Ferguson and wife, Alina of Albuquerque, NM; her daughter Cathy Ferguson and husband J Harden of Albuquerque, NM; and by her three loving grandchildren, Audrey, Chelsi, and Madelyn. She is also survived by her brother Gary Johnson and wife, Barbara of Austin, TX. Shirlene grew up on a family farm near Elgin, Texas. She attended Elgin High School where she graduated as the salutatorian in 1963. Shirlene's calling in life was teaching. She graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor's in Education and went on to earn a Master's Degree in Special Education from Texas A&M University. Her passion for teaching and working with children and youth spanned over four decades in three different states and included teaching classes from Kindergarten through 12th grade. "Steadfast and selfless" are words that have been used to best describe Shirlene. She is remembered as always putting the needs of her family and others before the needs of her own. Whether it was working to support her husband through years of professional school, or raising her three children, Shirlene filled any role that was needed. Simply stated, she was the engine that kept the family running. Dedicated to her children's life foundations, she was as much a teacher outside the classroom as she was inside it. She not only taught her children right from wrong, but she also showed them how to truly love and led them to their relationship with Christ. In her retired years, nothing gave her more enjoyment than playing with her three grandchildren and seeing the world as they did. Friends are welcome to attend a visitation to be held at FRENCH - Lomas on Thursday, March 27, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 28th, 2014 at Christ United Methodist Church, 6200 Gibson Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. A graveside service will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Christ United Methodist Church or the Methodist Mission Home in San Antonio, Texas.