Dorothy Maxine Ferguson, 85, Adrian, MO, died Sunday, January 25, 2009 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the Atkinson Chapel in Adrian. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Friends may call 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adrian Christian Church Nursery Fund or to the Adrian First Responders.

Dorothy Maxine Sollars Ferguson was born April 12, 1923 near Altona MO. She was the daughter of Guy Ora Sollars and Freda Bertha Hoeger Sollars, and a sister to George and Russell Sollars and Mildred Shelton. She married Freeman Edwin Ferguson on June 14, 1945 and to this union 3 sons were born, Jerry, Tom and Carl.

Dorothy was a lifelong member of the Adrian Community and graduated from Adrian High School in 1941. She was an apprentice hairdresser under Esther Catron receiving her Missouri Operator's License in cosmetology in 1943. She continued to work with Esther until opening Dorothy's Beauty Salon in 1973 and then retiring in 1996 after a 53 year career as a beautician. Following retirement she continued to provide beautician services as well as friendship to residents of Adrian Manor Nursing Home until ill health in 2002. Dorothy has said that her customers are more than patrons and most are closer than just friends. Many of Dorothy's friends were treated like family and the feeling was mutual.

She was active in many community organizations, including Adrian Christian Church, Loyal Partners Sunday School Class, Rebekah Lodge, Garden Club, Rollin Bobbins Club and Adrian Booster Club. She donated a lot of time and support to the local 4-H clubs, Adrian Manor Nursing Home, Adrian Community Library and supported many other local organizations.

The family fondly recalls her dedication to the family farm making daily trips back and forth, while continuing her work in the shop. This was a normal daily commitment of devotion to her family. Everyone appreciated her gift of cooking, gardening, quilting and being a loving and nurturing person. To her, family togetherness was of utmost importance, and her table was always open to all who entered her home. Many times, a field or service worker would happen by at the noon hour by some coincidence knowing there would be plenty. And there always was. Dorothy made everyone feel welcome and loved. Dorothy had a special commitment to her faith and was fondly remembered for all the time devoted to her Church thru Sunday School, quilting with the ladies, teaching the Children's Nursery and living her life as a devout Christian.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Free, her brothers, George and Russell, brothers-in-law, Bert and Jim Ferguson, and two sisters-in-law, Dorothea Ferguson and Maxine Sollars. Her survivors include her sister, Mildred and brother-in-law, Bob Shelton, Harrisonville, sisters-in-law, Lena Dunham Sollars Cross, Appleton City and Virginia Ferguson, Adrian; her beloved sons, Jerry and RuthAnn, Tom and Harla and Carl and Susan, all of Adrian and grandchildren, Rob and Allison Ferguson, Mansura, LA, Dave and Lou Ferguson, Sheldon MO, Ryan and Tracy Ferguson, Fort Collins, CO, Jeremy and Kerri Ferguson, Wichita KS, Steven Ferguson, Adrian, Brad and JaNell Ferguson, Adrian, Alan and Carmin Ferguson, Butler, Derek Moles, Adrian and Lori Moles, El Dorado Springs, MO; her beloved 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy will be greatly missed by her family, friends and the Adrian Community. There's no way to express all we feel. We hope the memories and stories will help her live on in all of us.