Ruth Dora Bostick Ferger, born Dec. 31, 1917 to parents Joseph Harrell Bostick and Ruth Wiseman Roberts in Charlotte, passed away Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, peacefully in her sleep at Davis Health Care Center.
Dora attended Peace College in Raleigh and then worked as secretary at the State Baptist Convention. After meeting James Ferger, they married Oct. 11, 1940 and soon moved to Orton Plantation. There, James propagated foods for more production during the war effort and landscaped the gardens. Dora played tennis, grew and arranged flowers, and enjoyed poetry. Both enjoyed classical music and opera. Two sons were born there before moving to Wilmington, where James established himself as a prominent nurseryman and landscape architect. Dora and James became charter members of the tiny Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in Winter Park.
The two girls were born, and Dora quickly became involved with teaching children’s Sunday school, Brownies, the boy’s scouting, band and 4-H, still finding time for the Garden Club. She was a substitute teacher, as well as PTA president more than once. She also was active in the Methodist Women group, serving as local, district and regional president. Later she became Girl Scout Troop leader and was greatly involved with the church youth group, now Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.
Dora and James were consistently active in the church stewardship, whether through local contributions, family covered dish suppers, teaching or worldwide missions. On Dora’s 90th birthday, she was teaching her Sunday school class!
Dora is survived by three children, George Ferger, Alice Allen and Frances Carroll; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jean Worrell.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Monday, Jan. 4 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1401 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Dora Ferger to WMUMC at same address above or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Andrews Mortuary.
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