Laurice Annelle Ferguson Smith died peacefully at home on Friday, October 11, 2013. A worship service celebrating her life was held in Columbus at First United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 13. The organ was silent in her honor. Officiating were Rev. Stylon Anthony Proctor, Rev. Elizabeth Raigan Miskelly, and Rev. Anne-Russell Bradley. Internment was at Friendship Cemetary in Columbus. Laurice was born in Columbus on September 7, 1929, to the late James Leon and Jessie Leona Reynolds Ferguson. She graduated summa cum laude from MSCW in 1951 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and a Minor in Music. While at the W, she was president of the American Guild of Organists. As a lifelong member of FUMC, Laurice served as organist for 37 years and held numerous offices in United Methodist Women. After serving as Starkville District UMW Treasurer for 8 years, she was currently President, a role which brought her great joy through the new friendships she was making. In a word, she spent her life serving the Lord. Laurice was preceded in death by her parents, James Leon and Jesse Leona Ferguson; her sister Helen Claire Ferguson Brock and husband Walter Hollis Brock; and brother James Lloyd Ferguson. Laurice is survived by her husband of 61 years, Harold Franklin Smith. Together they traveled the country in their RV, finding themselves inspired by Gods creation. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Annie Louise Vaughn Ferguson. Additionally she is survived by 3 children: Amelia Annelle Smith Perkins (Lyndon) of Tupelo, Harold Franklin Smith, Jr. (Leslie) of Columbus, and Laurice Claire Smith Swede (Greg) of Olive Branch; 7 grandchildren: Michael David Perkins (Betsy) of Tupelo, Anna Christine Perkins Russell (Benjamin) of Peekskill, NY, Nathaniel Haywood Perkins (Molly) of Pomona, CA, Harold Franklin Smith III of Columbus, Andrew Horace Smith of Columbus, Shelby Anne Swede of Olive Branch, MS, Bradley Laurence Swede of Olive Branch, and James Franklin Swede of Olive Branch; one great grandchild: Evangeline Grace Perkins of Tupelo. Pallbearers were the seven grandsons. Honorary pallbearers were Ronda Andres, Jane Crigler, Doris and Howard Fisackerly, Patti Johnson, Diane Lawrence, Joan Rhett, Faye Tabor, Betty Thornbrough, Becky Tipton, and Judy Waller. Memorials may be made to the Music Program or United Methodist Women at First United Methodist Church, PO Box 32, Columbus, MS 39703; or to Palmer Home for Children, PO Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703.
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