Mary Ann Ferguson Pittman Celebration of Life

LET US PRAY‌.

Oh Lord, you who are the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; look with compassion, we pray, upon all gathered here now, that our minds and hearts shall be at your command. Grant that this service of comfort, which we now hold in your name, may bring all a sense of heavenly nearness and great trust in you. And may the peace of Christ, even the peace that passes all understanding, abide with us and rest upon all these dear ones. We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

TO KNOW HER

MARY ANN

IS TO LOVE HER

MARY ANN FERGUSON PITTMAN OBITUARY Mary Ann Ferguson-Pittman was born in Cleveland, MS on May 8,1963 to parents, Marie McFarland and the late Artis Ferguson, Transitioned July 06, 2020 @ 2:05 PM at home in Georgia with family. She was raised in Mound Bayou, MS by her bonus mother Shirley Ellis. She joined Mound Bayou Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and prior to her death was a member of Berean Christian Church (Pastor Dr. Kevin Lee) Snellville, GA. Mary Ann worked for the Gwinnett County Schools (Lawrenceville, GA). She married the love of her life, Reginald Pittman, September 8, 2018 and gained two sons Reginald Davis and Rhashad Pittman.

Mary Ann had a great love for God and people and did not mind letting anyone know how much she loved God and mankind. She loved her sweet Sunshine M.B. Church and Berean Christian Church where she was always willing to assist in any way she could. She has empowered so many through her daily life teachings and spiritual wisdom. She had one of the biggest hearts that continuously gave of herself. She was the gift that kept on giving. Mary Ann was compassionate, loving, vibrant, full of life, optimistic and a genuine caring soul. Those who knew her, knew that she gave the best hugs. Mary Ann was meticulous with everything she touched.

Friends and family looked forward to her never-ending thoughtful greeting cards. She truly enjoyed touching the hearts of others. Her smile would lightened any dark room and her sweet voice of an angel could quiet any raging storm. Mary Ann lived a transparent life so that she would always show her Christ-like spirit. She lived. She loved. She will forever be in our hearts.

Mary was preceded in death by her father Artis Ferguson Sr. and brother Samuel Benson.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories her husband Reginald Pittman of Snellville, GA; mother Marie McFarland; a special aunt Shirley Ellis; two stepsons Reginald Davis of Frederick, MD and Rhashad Pittman of San Jose, CA; goddaughter Jacqueline Sanders; best friend Janice McDaniel-Johnson; ten sisters Margaret Robinson of La Croix, WI, Willie Mae Haywood (Theodore) of Greenville, MS, Pearl Benson of Clarksdale, MS, Annie Speed of Greenville, MS, Shirley Ferguson-Hicks (James) of Clarksdale, MS, Sharon Lunford (Terry) of Memphis, TN, Arnetria Ferguson-Montague (Arnett III) of Bartlett, TN, Shirley Washington of Memphis, TN, Shirley Lang of Cleveland, MS, Cherry Davis (John Sr.) of Virginia Beach, VA.; ten brothers Willie Benson (Stella) of Chicago, IL, Johnnie Benson (Elaine) of St. Paul, MN, Dr. Lloyd Benson Sr. of Baton Rouge, LA, Willie Joe Benson (Angela) of Baton Rouge, LA, Dr. Cederick Ellis (Carmelle) of McComb, MS, Dr. Stanley Ellis (Lisa) of Germantown, TN, Artis Ferguson Jr. (Lura) of Clarksdale, MS, Joe Giles (Tawanda) of Friars Point, MS, Patrick Thompson of Oklahoma City, OK, Adam Ferguson of Clarksdale, MS; a host of other relatives and friends.

“She was a remarkable woman” -Reginald Pittman

MARY ANN “My wife, life partner, soul-mate, best friend, and spiritual motivator, has been called Home and has departed this mortal world. As a young person I was once told that some people come into your life for a lifetime and some come into your life for a season. Mary Ann entered my life for an extended season that appears to have been a lifetime. It’s not my place to question God why she was called Home so soon but instead to cherish the quality time that we spent together. Our love was eternal, knew no bounds. She was a remarkable woman. I thought of her as a Renaissance woman. She was articulate, conversant, well versed in politics, arts, sports, religion and current events. I will miss our daily discussions. But more importantly, she was compassionate, loving, benevolent, and spiritual.

I miss you, love you, and will always love you.�

Love, Reginald

MEMORIES SHE SHARED WITH THE WORLD

#TBT ...when it was ok to wear horizontal stripes, a pleated skirt and blue eye shadow too! My Junior year in college! My cousin Jacqueline snapped this photo!

She was always taking photos when I wasn't looking...claiming she was capturing the moment!

Sister you were so proud of me on this day.

You said I could do it and I did!

I’ll forever hold you in my heart.

Love you, Willie Mae Haywood

FOR ALL THE LIVES YOU TOUCHED WELL DONE FOR ALL THE LIVES YOU CHANGED WELL DONE FOR ALL THE LIVES YOU INSPIRED WELL DONE FOR THE TIMES YOU TOOK THE EXTRA TIME TO BRING TO LIFE THE SPIRIT OF SOMEONE FEELING LESS FORTUNATE WELL DONE FOR THOSE TIMES YOU SMILED, AND HELPED ANOTHER WHEN YOU YOURSELF WAS HURTING WELL DONE FOR THE TIMES YOU LOVED EVEN THOSE THAT WERE HURTING YOU WELL DONE FOR LIVING THE LIFE GOD GAVE YOU AND PUTTING HIM FIRST WELL DONE Though I am deeply saddened by your untimely death I am uplifted knowing God has gladly received you, his daughter, home with these words, “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant;…

Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” Yes, there is now an unfillable vacancy in our lives but in our hearts the precious memories of the years we shared will never leave us. Thank God for that and for gracing our lives with you as a sister. Your warmth, smile, wit, encouragement, the best of who you were will be with us now. May our continued love for you reach Heaven until we meet again.

Goodbye for now. Rest in peace until that great day when we meet again.

Your Beloved Brother, Apostle Dr. Lloyd Benson, Sr. World Link of Churches & Ministries, Inc.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE SATURDAY JULY 11, 2020 at 1:00PM

ORDER OF SERVICE Processional Call to Order

…..Pastor Lloyd Benson, II

Opening Prayer

…..Bishop Willie Benson

Scripture Reading

…..Pastor Willie Joe Benson

Music Selection

…..I’m Going Up Yonder/ Take Me to the King James Hicks III …..Pastor Jonathan Williams (Sunshine M.B. Church)

Words of Comfort

Expressions as a Sister…..Shirley Ferguson Hicks Pastor Willie Mae Haywood

—————— POEM WRITTEN BY MARY ANN—————— Music Selection

…..Sister Bridgette Jones Cathedral World Worship Center

Eulogy

…..Apostle Dr. Lloyd Benson Sr. Cathedral World Worship Center, Senior Pastor Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Benediction Recessional Services In Care of Royal Funeral Home, LLC 507 Ashton Ave., Clarksdale, MS 38614 662.624.5070 / royalfhllc@gmail.com Burial will commence at Mound Bayou Memorial Gardens, Mound Bayou, MS.

MEMORIES SHE SHARED WITH THE WORLD

You are forever in my heart!

-God Daughter, Jackie B.

We love you and will cherish every memory.

With love, Stan & Ced

I remember the day this photo was taken...I was 5 years old. I remember this dress, it was new of course for my Kindergarten class year photo. My grandmother purchased it from JCPenney in Clarksdale, MS. The collar and cuffs were white and the dress background was brown with blue, gold and white stripes and the bow...a bright gold which is how I felt on this day because...I didn’t have to wear my St. Gabriel Catholic School uniform on this day!

Your smile made me smile; Your laugh was contagious; Your heart was pure and true; Above all things, what I love most of all is that you are my daughter!

I love you, Momma

My sweet Mary Ann, my first best friend, my protector, my sister for life, I will hold every memory close to my heart and pray for a memory as sharp as yours to hold them all. Every time the wind blows a limb on a tree, I’ll think about our tree watching moments during some very difficult times. I’ll continue to say our daily affirmations, “the breath of life” and “one more miracle”.

Thank you for being my strength when you needed it more than me. Thank you for every sisterly lesson you taught me and those unspoken conversations we chose not to have. Thank you for teaching me by example what love truly means, and most of all sis, thank you for loving me unconditionally.

With all my love sissy, Shirls

Of all the gifts in life However great or small to have shared you as a daughter was the greatest gift of them all.

Silent thoughts I have or secret tears I may shed I find comfort in knowing what God has promised us ahead.

MEMORIES SHE SHARED WITH THE WORLD

I love you, Auntie

#TBT Fall 1981 Queen Alternate to Ms CJC (Coahoma Junior College) with my father and Grandfather! I miss them both dearly!

So many memories that I’ll forever cherish.

Our Thelma and Louise trip was my favorite.

Love you, Bestie Jan

MEMORIES SHE SHARED WITH THE WORLD

Sis I thank God for blessing you to be in my life. I will always keep our memories in my heart. I can still hear your voice calling me poohbear.

I wish this pain would go away. Rest on sis cause I know you are going to keep an eye on us.

Love you, PoohBear

Sis I am happy that you made it home. My heart is heavy but I know that you are resting!

I’ll forever love you!

Annie

Throwback Thursday...me the university student ...my ASU days on the "yard"! I enjoyed spending time in this park on campus, especially in the Fall and after exams!

My dear sister, Your death was so untimely, I'm yet to come to terms that you are gone.

God had blessed me with a beautiful sister. You were always wonderful, loving, caring, encouraging, inspiring and spiritual indeed. It's so heartfelt remembering the laughers, long talks and good times we had.

Now that you're gone, I'm thankful to God that you are in a perfect peaceful place in heaven.

Sis, I will miss you... your memory will always be in my heart and thoughts.

Love you forever more, Your sis, Pearl

To my sister Mary Ann; from earth to heaven.

Heaven is your home now. No more sorrow. No more tears. No more hurts. No more pain. YOUR SMILES AND PRESENCE WILL BE MISSED, though I know you are in a better place. Words can’t express how I feel right now. I do know it’s all in God’s hands. Your time to fulfill your purpose and destiny here on earth has expired.

You will always be in my heart Sister. Thank you for all of the good times. R.I.P. Your Brother, Pastor Willie Benson

ACTIVE PALL BEARERS Pastor Willie Joe Benson Terry Lunford Terry Lunford II Xavier Benson Artis Ferguson II Reginald Williams

Acknowledgements Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair; Perhaps you sent a floral piece, if so, we saw it there.

Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as a friend could say; Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us on this day.

Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much—Whatever the part.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU!