Elizabeth (Whatley) Ferguson

Elizabeth (Whatley) Ferguson, age 99, of Decatur, died Friday, March 12, 2021. Elizabeth was born November 14, 1921 in Atlanta, to the late Roy Edgar Whatley and Myrtle McHan Whatley. Elizabeth graduated from Girls High in Atlanta. She married Robert (Bob) Howell Ferguson on October 2, 1942 and she supported him and assisted with several business ventures.

Elizabeth was survived by her loving son, David Robert Ferguson, daughter, Deborah Marie Warhurst, grandchildren, Beth and Tony Scalzitti of Lawrenceville, and Michelle Ferguson and Jay Bowerman of Auburn; five great-grandchildren, Sophia, Isabella, and Tony Scalzitti, Chelsea Caddell and Emma Bowerman; nephews and nieces Marcus and Joyce Whatley, Ken Whatley, Neal and Denise Whatley, Jan Whatley, and Laurie Whatley; and numerous great nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Ferguson, brother and sister-in-law, Edgar and Dorothy Whatley, and daughter-in-law, Marilyn Ferguson.

Elizabeth, known to her many friends as “Lib” or “Libby”, and to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Mimi”, was the quintessential social butterfly. She loved entertaining and often hosted dinner parties, cocktail parties, game nights, and more. Lib attended First Baptist of Decatur for many decades, was active in various volunteer roles, and made lifelong friends through her active participation in Bible study and Sunday school groups. She and Bob moved to several different homes around the country when they were first married, but came back to Decatur many years ago, and later settled in Stone Mountain, where she resided until she moved to Clairmont Place in 2006. Lib participated in many activities and gatherings there and was the head of her floor for a while, planning social events for all and welcoming new residents. Lib made friends everywhere she went, but especially with her Bridge groups. She often had 3 or 4 different Bridge groups that she played with regularly and truly enjoyed teaching the game to new players and encouraging them. Lib doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved visiting with them and hearing all about their daily lives. She shared her love of bird watching and flowers with them, teaching them the names of various birds and even some of their bird calls. Lib loved fashion and had an enviable collection of shoes in different styles and colors. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Decatur First Baptist Church on November 10, 2021 at 11AM. Please wear masks and observe social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
Encompass Cares Foundation
6688 N. Central Expy, Ste 1300, Dallas, TX 75206
or online at https://encompasscares.org/

Or,

First Baptist of Decatur
308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
or online at https://www.fbcdecatur.com/giving