Appomattox: Richard Murrell Ferguson, Sr., 80, of Second Street, died Monday, November 13, 2006 in Virginia Baptist Hospital as the result of a 22 year battle with Parkinson's disease.
Born in Appomattox County, June 4, 1926, he was a son of the late Richard Bernard Ferguson and Sally Wingfield Ferguson. Murrell worked as a bookkeeper for 40 years with J. E. Jamerson and Sons, Inc. until his retirement. As a member of the US Army he served his country proudly in the Southern Philippines Campaign during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received three months before the end of the war.
He was a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church and Grace Hills Baptist Church where he served on the board of deacons and the board of trustees of Liberty Cemetery. He was a member and past president of the Appomattox Lions Club and served as their secretary and treasurer for 37 years. He was past president and a member of the board of directors of the Appomattox Cancer Society. Murrell served for 17 years as secretary of the Appomattox County Electoral Board. He was a member of the American Legion Post #104 in Appomattox, the Disabled American Veterans Chapter in Lynchburg, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Spout Spring AARP. He was instrumental in founding the Chamber of Commerce in Appomattox and was a lifetime member of the Appomattox Country Historical Society.
In 1992, he was awarded the Military Cross by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and in 1993 was voted Man of the Year by the Appomattox Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his wife, Easley Shuford Ferguson; a son, Dr. Richard Murrell Ferguson, Jr. and his wife, Jill McCallister Ferguson of Danville; a brother, David A. Ferguson of Lynchburg; a niece, Debby Singleton of NC; two great nieces and several cousins.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Thursday, November 16, 2006 in Grace Hills Baptist Church by the Rev. Wes Williams with burial following in Liberty Cemetery
The family will receive friends in the church social hall from 9:00–10:30 am the day of the service.
The family requests no flowers but instead to remember Murrell with contributions to Grace Hills Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 807, Appomattox, VA 24522, Parkinson's Fund UVA Health System, PO Box 800394, Charlottesville, VA 22908, or a charity of your choice.