Irene Baughman Ferguson
Help us celebrate Irene! Please share your stories and photos, and invite others who remember Irene.
Irene Baughman Ferguson passed away peacefully in the presence of her loved ones on April 21, 2021 at the age of 94 in Conroe, Texas.
Irene was born on a cotton farm in Raymondville, Texas to Art and Edna Baughman. One of two children, her early days were spent playing outside and climbing the salt cedar trees on her family farm while daydreaming of one day traveling the world. By the age of 12, she was driving the family truck, setting the stage for a love of learning that would one day define her life of high accomplishment.
Irene attended Raymondville High School and had a passion for many extracurricular activities, including tennis, twirling, marching band, and basketball. She was an accomplished writer and humanitarian, and remained active throughout her life, including playing racquetball into her '70s.
She graduated from North Texas State University in 1947 with a degree in business and worked as a secretary for Humble Oil in Houston. She married Jim Ferguson and often mentioned how grateful she was for their life together. The two traveled the world, visiting over 26 countries. They went on to have five children and were happily married for 58 years.
Throughout her illustrious life, she stressed the importance of God and the difference that He makes. She read and studied the word of Jesus Christ, and felt that she became a gentle, compassionate woman, enabling her to make a difference in the world around her. After the death of her oldest son, she became more passionate in her faith and it became her life's mission to serve others. Irene also devoted her time to volunteer activities. She was active at both St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church and Trinity Episcopal Church. She made many friends while working at The Salvation Army soup kitchen. She also led a grief support group and was a volunteer on the Chaplain Ministry at Memorial Hermann Hospital well into her 80s. Additionally, she wrote and published two books based on her faith.
Irene adored her children and grandchildren. Her family was the greatest love of her life, a love reciprocated by her children. She made and had friends everywhere she went. Strangers would tell her their life story because she was trusting and caring. For many years, Irene could be found at Brooklyn Cafe having breakfast with her friends.
Irene was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Jim, and her son, Jimmy. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Lee Conley, her four children: Patty Duffin; Mike Ferguson; Nancy McCulloch (husband Brian); and Cathy Ferguson; and her nine grandchildren: Sara Payne (husband Corey), Marshall Mims (wife Morgan), Andrew Duffin, Austen Ferguson (wife Gabrielle), Christina Ferguson, Mark McCulloch, Lauren Ferguson, Emily Ferguson and Christopher McCulloch; and three great-grandchildren: Brody Mims, Case Payne, and Brandt Mims.
The family wishes to thank Heart to Heart Hospice for their compassionate care.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas. The memorial service will be at Trinity Episcopal Church (3901 S Panther Creek Dr., The Woodlands, Texas, 77381) at 12:00 pm on Friday, April 30th, 2021. She will be laid to rest at Garden Park Cemetery in Conroe. You are invited to view our webpage and leave written tributes to the family at cashnerconroe.com