Julia A. Ferguson

Ferguson, Julia A., of Springboro, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, September 21, 2015 at the age of 83. Born on December 16, 1931 to the late Ralph and Ada (Oliphant) Harris, she is preceded in death by her husband, Gene Ferguson and daughter, Margaret Ann. Julia earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Northwestern University, her Master's Degree in Education from Wright State University, and a Reading Specialist certification from the University of New Mexico. She taught in Kettering at Beavertown Elementary as a 5th and 2nd grade teacher for 29 years before retiring in 1995. Julia believed in creating a classroom that was a place where students wanted to be, using humor and hands-on activities to help her students learn. Julia was inducted into the Kettering Schools' Roush Hall of Fame in 2007.
Julia was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority at Northwestern and past president of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She belonged to the Kettering City Teacher’s Association and held several executive positions. Julia was known as an authentic person with a deep love of nature and animals. Julia preferred yard work to house work any day. She always had dogs and cats, many of which would follow her around as she worked outside.
Julia is survived by daughter Kathleen, son Brian (Diann) and grandsons Cameron, Jonathon, and William Ferguson. She will be missed by many including her furry canine family members and constant companions, Rikki, Allie, and Ziva.
The family will greet friends on Saturday, September 26, from 12-2 p.m. followed by a short service at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Rd. in Kettering. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery of Youngstown. We want to include a special thank you to friends and family members who visited, brought food or shared memories with Mom. Special thank you to Jo Ann for all of your help and advice. Thanks to Hospice for the wonderful and gentle care of our mother. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to SICSA ( www.sicsa.org ) an animal adoption shelter; the Alzheimer's Association ( www.alz.org ); or Hospice of Dayton ( www.hospiceofdayton.org ).