LANCASTER, S.C. — Vivian Kate Shute Ferguson, 99, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
Mrs. Ferguson was born in the Tabernacle community, the third of four children born to Mable Nellie Rowell Shute and Pomp Sylvester Shute. She was valedictorian of her 1942 graduating class at Buford High School. She received the French Language Award and earned a Reader’s Digest Scholarship to Gardner-Webb University. She retired from Springs Industries after 36 years of service.
She was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, keeping the nursery for many years and serving on the Kitchen Committee. An excellent cook and baker, she was known for her cookies, candies and homemade bread. She was an avid reader and bird watcher. She loved gardening and was twice recognized for Yard of the Month by the Lancaster Garden Club. If you ever rode by her home in springtime, you would appreciate the beauty of her labors.
Mrs. Ferguson is survived by her sons, Neil Ferguson (Hazel) of Surfside Beach, S.C., Roy Ferguson (Sharon) of Charlotte, N.C., and by her daughter, Sue Ferguson of Irmo, S.C. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Adam Ferguson (Angela) of Miami Beach, Fla., Rion Ferguson of Deerfield Beach, Fla., Chris Ferguson of Greensboro, N.C., and Katie Catlett (Rob) of Pineville, N.C. She is also survived by her great-granddaughter and namesake, Vivian Catlett.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Carl T. Ferguson; and her siblings, Sybil Shute Walters (Woodrow) of Lancaster, James Shute (Dot) of Fort Mill, S.C., and Jolita Shute Griffin (Jim) of Harrisburg, N.C.
Services for Mrs. Ferguson will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Burial will follow immediately at Tabernacle United Methodist Church.
The family wishes to thank the staff at White Oak Manor and Providence Hospice for their compassionate care.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 608, Lancaster, SC 29721), Tabernacle United Methodist Church (5908 Tabernacle Road, Lancaster, SC 29720), or a charity of one’s choice.
Burgess Funeral Home & Crematory of Lancaster is caring for the family of Mrs. Ferguson.