Ina Lewis Poe Ferguson

January 15, 2013

Ina Lewis Poe Ferguson died January 12 in her home in Cantonment after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family and under the care of Covenant Hospice. A special thank you to Ina’s personal caregivers, Moné Bell (Ina called her “Angel”), Dee Grimes and Elizabeth Richardson.

Ina was born on March 31, 1927, in Moultrie, Georgia, the third of six children. She attended Moultrie Grammar School and graduated from Milton High School in 1944. Ina married Herbert Smith Poe and they made their lives in Pensacola, FL. Ina and Herbert were active members of Warrington Methodist Church for many years. Herbert died in 1980.

Ina enjoyed a successful career in civil service as an Administrative Assistant at the Naval Air Station. Upon retirement, Ina built a second career in residential real estate earning her real estate license at 60. She was a member of Toastmaster International. Ina married Robert W. Ferguson in 1989 and they also made their home in Pensacola. Bob died in 1997.

Ina lived an active life enjoying dancing and socializing including the Jesters, which is the longest running all female Mardi Gras krewe in Pensacola. Later in life she participated in The Red Hat Society and loved to read, play cards and dominos with friends and family. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor, compassion, generosity and love of her family and friends.

Ina was preceded in death by son, John David who died at 2 days old; parents, Mary Myrtle Gregory and Sirmon Greene Lewis; brother, Robert Harris Lewis; sister, Cleo Faye McCoy (Herman); great granddaughter, Katelyn Elizabeth Payne; nephews, Craig McCoy and Scott Baxley; and sister-in-law, Betty Lewis.

Ina and Herbert have 3 surviving children, Barbara Jean Peterson (William) of Windermere, FL; Deborah Joan Milam (Ray) of Pensacola, FL and Robert Smith Poe (Mary Jane) of Troy, AL.

Ina is also survived by her brother, James Richard Lewis and sisters Mary Ann Rader (Robert) and Joan Baxley (Glenn); grandchildren Kyle Peterson (Wendy), Kaci Peterson Ariza (Daniel), Michele Payne (Derrick), Lindsey Milam, Devin and Nathan Poe, Lee Griffin, great grandchildren, Kali and Will Peterson, Elijah and Ryland Ariza, Reagan, Addison and Caroline Payne. There are numerous loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Peterson, Derrick Payne, Daniel Ariza, Tony Lewis, Devin and Nathan Poe. Visitation will be Friday, Jan 18, 6 – 8 pm, funeral Saturday, Jan 19, 11 am at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, FL officiated by Rev. Winston Jay. Interment follows at Bagdad Cemetery, Bagdad, FL.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries