Issuu

Saturday, June 13th, 2026

Order of Worship at 12:00 pm for the Celebration of Life in Memory of

Amy Hyacinth Fergusson-Williams "Nuxi"

September 22, 1939 May 21, 2026

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lutheran Community Food Ministry

Amy Hyacinth Fergusson-Williams, affectionately known as Nuxi, was born on September 22, 1939, in Kingston, Jamaica to Herbert Fitzgerald Repole and Ida Chloe Repole (Dida), née Jacques. She spent her early years in the family home on Mountain View Avenue in Kingston, and later at Swain Spring in Red Hills, St Andrew where children and grandchildren would come to treasure the sweeping land and beautiful view of the city. Nuxi completed her primary and secondary education in Jamaica, graduating from St. Hugh’s High School in Kingston. She later traveled to Leeds, England, to study fashion design at Leeds College of Art. Her love of learning never left her. In her later years, she returned to school and attended the Atlanta College of Art, where she graduated at the top of her class.

One of the family’s favorite stories is how Amy met the love of her life. While in Leeds, she spotted a handsome young man at a social event and pointed him out to her dear friend, Norma Johanneson, née Comrie. He was wearing a green shirt, and from that moment on, he became known simply as “Green Shirt.” As fate would have it, she saw him again at another gathering. This time, determined to meet him, she walked over to greet his friend, Koso Thomas, whom she knew, and was introduced to Rodney Fergusson-Williams. With a touch of charm and mischief, Amy pretended to have a headache and asked if he had any aspirin. Ever the gentleman, Rodney offered to walk her to the store to get some, and somewhere along that walk, a conversation began that would last a lifetime. They were married in Leeds on July 22, 1961, with Norma as Amy’s bridesmaid and Koso as Rodney’s groomsman. What began with “Green Shirt” became a beautiful love story and a marriage that flourished for nearly 65 years. The happy couple went on to raise their three children in Jamaica and Sierra Leone.

Nuxi was an avid lover of the arts in all its forms such as dance, visual art, sculpture, poetry, and theater, and she made sure her children grew up surrounded by that beauty and creativity. She also had a deep love for gardening and cared for her plants with extraordinary patience and passion. To say she had a green thumb would hardly do her justice; the family often joked that she could bring even the most hopeless plant back to life. Before long, she became everyone’s trusted source for plant knowledge, always ready with guidance, encouragement, and exactly the advice a struggling plant, or person, seemed to need.

Amy worked for several years at the British High Commission in Freetown, Sierra Leone while also working independently as a talented seamstress. Her passion for sewing was nurtured by her aunt, fondly known to all as Dada, who made her dresses. After moving to the United States, she continued her work as a seamstress, creating men’s and women’s clothing, drapery, bridal gowns, alterations, quilts, and so much more. Among her most cherished labors of love were the wedding dresses she created for her daughters, meticulously selecting the fabric, lace, and embellishments for each one with exquisite care. Her hands were rarely still, and whatever she made carried the mark of her skill and creativity. She was especially blessed to unite her gift for sewing with her love of the arts when she began making costumes for films and theater productions at the Fox Theatre and venues across Georgia. Through her work, she brought beauty, character, and imagination to life on stage and screen.

In her later years, Nuxi embraced the internet and WhatsApp with enthusiasm. These became meaningful ways for her to stay connected with family and friends across the world, and she used them until her final day with us. She learned to use a smartphone in her own memorable way, sometimes to the surprise of loved ones who received calls at unexpected hours of the day and night. Even then, her curiosity and love of connection never faded. In her final days, she was

reading and reflecting on the novel Black Cake with her friend, Norma, sharing thoughts on the poem Ode to a Nightingale with another close friend, Morphydd William, née Hughes, and keeping her longtime friend, Rita Miller, informed about her health. She remained engaged, thoughtful, and deeply interested in art, nature, literature, and conversation until the very end.

Nuxi died on May 21, 2026, leaving behind a loving family and many friends who will miss her deeply and carry her memory forward with gratitude and love. She is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Rodney Fergusson-Williams; her children, Dennis, Tunde (Donald), and Oni; her siblings, Susan and Kurt; and her grandchildren, Zachary, Kai, Matthew, Joëlle (Jacob), and Tejan. She is also remembered by her nieces and nephews: Roderick, Diane, Barbara (Inza), Ella, Marcella, Dennis (Camille), Raymond (Florence), Franz, Phillip, Rodney (Sarah), Samya, Daniel, Kenzo (Tahira), Anika, and Leon. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Dida, and siblings Fay, Denny, and Louis.

PRELUDE

GATHERING

Standing

Welcome in the name of Jesus the Savior, who died and was raised to new life by the grace of God. We are gathered here to worship, to remember before God our sister Amy Hyacinth Fergusson-Williams, to give thanks for her life, to commend her to our merciful redeemer, and to comfort one another in our grief.

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, we glorify you. | We glorify you.

Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, we praise you. | We praise you.

Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you. | We worship you.

To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever. | Amen.

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our sister, Nuxi. We thank you for giving her to us to know and to love as companions in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been

swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen.

Seated

READING

1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13

REMEMBRANCES AND TRIBUTES

Tejan Borchers

Julius Garvey

READING

Psalm 23 (read responsively)

The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

Read by Kai Moore

Read by Zachary Fergusson-Williams

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

EULOGY

Rodney Beresford-Cole

HYMN 841

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Standing GOSPEL

John 20:19-23

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Seated SERMON

Standing HYMN Jerusalem

Pastor Mark H. Larson

APOSTLES' CREED

God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Kneeling or Seated PRAYERS

Let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Jesus, full of compassion, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Nuxi and dry the tears of those who weep.