Helen Joyce Davis McFerrin

Feb. 25, 1938-Sept. 15, 2020

Posted

Helen Joyce Davis McFerrin, 82, of Sparta, passed away Sept. 15, 2020, at Signature Health Care, in Cookeville.

Mrs. McFerrin was born Feb. 25, 1938, in Evanston, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur L. Davis and Katherine Hooker Bland Davis.

She  moved to Wilson County when she was 9 years old. She continued her education at Gladeville Elementary School and Lebanon High School. She graduated from Tennessee Tech, in 1960, with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics education. Following further certifications, she taught third and fifth grades and served as librarian at Highland Rim Elementary School, in Lincoln County, for approximately 30 years, retiring Dec. 31, 2002.

Mrs. McFerrin loved the Lord and His church. She was happy being in the presence of the beauty that God has provided us, from the many plants around the house to the majesty of the state and national parks. Just traveling and "exploring" local country roads brought much pleasure to her.

She was a long-time member of State Line church of Christ, in Lincoln County and, for the last three years, a member of Findlay church of Christ, in Sparta.   

In addition to her parents, Mrs. McFerrin was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Larry Thomas Dreaden.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, James Clay McFerrin; two sons, David Clay (Janice Renee Hitchcock) McFerrin, Nathan James (Sherry Jo Kline) McFerrin; daughter, Miriam Katherine (Michael Lane) Avrit; 15 grandchildren, Alison Beth McFerrin (Christopher Brent) James, Clayton Thomas (Melissa Kate Bivens) McFerrin, Grant James McFerrin, Olivia Anne McFerrin, Brooke Ashley Holland (Christopher Robert) Woodrow, Tara Brianne Holland (Jordan Matthew) DeKeratry, Christopher Michael (Jennifer Lynn Greene) Avrit, Mary Katherine Avrit, Hosanna Joy Avrit (David Michael) Lawson, Joseph Davis (Glorianna Rachel Sapp) Avrit, Seth Jordan Avrit, Elizabeth Rose Avrit, Jonathan Caleb Avrit, Nathaniel Luke Avrit, Isaiah James Avrit; five great- grandchildren; sister, Linda Katherine Davis Dreaden; and sister-in-law, Mildred Frances McFerrin (Jerry Wilford) Smelser.

Funeral service will be 1  p.m., Sept. 16, 2020, at Higgins Funeral Home, in Fayetteville, with burial in Prosperity Cemetery. Dwight Fuqua will officiate.  The family will receive friends 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sept. 16, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the State Line church of Christ, 3325 Huntsville Highway, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334 or Findlay church of Christ, 505 N. Spring St., Sparta, Tennessee 38583.

Higgins Funeral Home, in Fayetteville, is in charge of arrangements.