Sylvia Nye Ferguson

Sylvia Nye Ferguson, age 80, of Abingdon, Va., passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2016, at Cornerstone Village North in Johnson City, Tenn. She was born to the late Joseph Dayton Nye, Sr. and Lola Mae Francis Nye on July 27, 1936, in Glade Spring, Va. She was an active member of Abingdon United Methodist Church having served on several committees and retired from Kealey Johnson Wholesale Florist after more than 20 years of service. She was a past president of the Abingdon Booklover’s Club having coordinated their centennial celebration in 2014, served on the auxiliary at Johnston Memorial Hospital and in recent years spearheaded the Tree of Lights campaign, and served on the board for the Virginia Highlands Festival for many years.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Dayton Nye, Jr. and Charles William Nye; and two sisters, Lola Woodroof and Edith Pearson.
Sylvia is survived by her husband of 59 years, William Houston “Bill” Ferguson, Jr.; two sons, William Houston “Hugh” Ferguson, III and wife Annette of Johnson City, Tenn. and Robert Bruce Ferguson and wife Margaret of Greensboro, N.C.; daughter, Sara Ellen Patterson and husband Will of Charlotte, N.C.; brother, James K. Nye of Washington; seven grandchildren, Wes Patterson, Trent Patterson, Anne Katherine Patterson, Laura Ferguson, Amy Ferguson, James Ferguson, and Thomas Ferguson.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 E. Main St., Abingdon, Va. 24210, with the Rev. Robert Countiss officiating. Visitation will follow in the fellowship hall of Abingdon United Methodist Church. Members of the Response Circle will serve as honorary pallbearers. A private committal service will be held at Knollkreg Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Landscape Fund at Abingdon United Methodist Church, or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the physicians, nurses, and staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital, Cornerstone Village North, and Mountain States Hospice.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Sylvia Nye Ferguson is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, Va. 24210 (276-623-2700).