Norma Ferguson

Norma June Ferguson died peacefully on November 20, 2023.

Norma was born in Oneida Tennessee on July 3, 1940 to Elmer and Goldie Yancey (nee Keaton). Often referred to as June in her childhood, she particularly adored her father, a coal miner in Tennessee and Kentucky, who affectionately called her Norm, as well as her grandmother, Ida Strunk, a local midwife, with whom she spent many summers.

Norma's first job was ironing clothes at age eight. After her family relocated to Over-the-Rhine in Cincinnati, she attended Rothenberg School, and then Central High School. As a teen, she worked at a shirt factory for two days before quitting and transitioning to become a legal secretary. The 1950's male-dominated office culture inspired her desire to become self-employed. It was then that she became a popular freelance model. She won the Cincinnati Times-Star Miss Shutterbug contest and was a finalist in the 1958 Cincinnati Junior Miss Contest, which fueled her work in print ads and special appearances. Married at age 19, Norma's modeling trophies were often taller than her husbands drag racing trophies, an injustice overlooked by happy newlyweds.

Norma knew that her modeling days were numbered, since age 27 was considered geriatric by 1960's standards. In 1967 she began working with Johnson Realtors In Anderson Township, winning top Realtor sales awards during her ten-year tenure. Meanwhile, in the evenings and on weekends, Norma and her husband were real estate investors, transforming single family homes and, in 1976, building their first of many multi-family apartment buildings.

In 1977, Norma left Johnson Realtors to open Ferguson Realtors. Her fearless determination, her community-minded approach and her innate leadership led the business to hold broker licenses for a large office of 19 Realtors. Norma also became the president of the Clermont County Board of Realtors, the chairperson of the Special Olympics of Clermont County, and the president of Altrusa International, a women's philanthropic organization. Additionally, Norma led fundraising efforts for a local mental health levy and worked on a task force to combat the abuse of foster children.

Throughout her lifetime, Norma was a resident of Mt. Adams, Hyde Park, Mt. Washington, Anderson Township and eventually Pierce Township, where she enjoyed living on a 100-acre farm with her beloved horses. It was on the farm that she honed her skills at dog whispering, being an attentive mom to rescue dogs TJ, Sam and Lilly. Later in life, while a resident of Anderson Township, she discovered her inner cat lover by adopting her kitty Max.

If you knew Norma, you knew she was tough as nails, but loved to laugh, have fun and enjoy her annual beach vacations to Emerald Isle with extended family. And she loved her children Steve, Kelli and Andrea as fiercely as one could love.

Norma was predeceased by her parents, siblings Ralph Yancey (Janice), Barbara Gibson (Everett), beloved parents-in-law Clarence and Opal Ferguson, brothers-in-law Ron Stenger and Bill Closser, and daughter-in-law Jennifer Ferguson.

Norma is survived by her children Steve Ferguson (Julie), Kelli Ferguson, Andrea Ferguson (Charles Baker), former spouse, Duane Ferguson, grandchildren Matthew (Lauren), Evelyn, January and Elaina, great-granddaughter Annie Jay, honorary son Patrick Huelefeld, beloved sister-in-laws Georgetta Stenger, Betty Closser and Janice Yancey, beach travel pal Lori Sparks and extended family members.

The family would like to thank Mary Ellen Shearer and Brenda Campbell for their attentive and thoughtful friendship to Norma these last few years. She was so very proud to call them friends.

Funeral service will be held at Mt. Washington Baptist Church on Monday, November 27th at 11 am. Friends may visit at the church on Monday from 10 to 11 am.