Richard "Toot" Ferguson, 73, of Bay died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 at Baptist Memorial Hospital East of Memphis.

A native of Craighead County, he had lived most of his life in the Bay area and attended Bay Assembly of God. He was employed by the Bay School District and retired from Colson Caster Corp.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Ferguson of the home; five sons, Dan Ferguson of Jonesboro and Rick Ferguson, Randy Ferguson, Jerry Ferguson and Tim Ferguson, all of Bay; a daughter, Susie Bollinger of Bay; a brother, Joe Ferguson of Kennett, Mo.; three sisters, Edith Schaaf of East Tawas, Mich., Claudia Lamberson of Bay and Norma Crawford of Jonesboro; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Ruth Ferguson; one brother; and one granddaughter.

Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005 in the chapel of Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home, with Billy Moore, assisted by James Moore, officiating. Burial followed in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were be Dan Ferguson, Rick Ferguson, Randy Ferguson, Jerry Ferguson, Tim Ferguson and Larry Taylor.

Grandchildren served as honorary pallbearers.