Farmer, Clara Ferguson
“She was ready for her wings to fly home, but our hearts were not ready to let her go.” Clara Jean Ferguson Farmer passed away peacefully on Thursday August 25, 2022, in Blacksburg, VA after years of declining health. She was born in Union, West Virginia but raised in Giles County, Virginia. She graduated from Narrows High School and attended Radford Womens’ College.
Jean packed a lot of life into her 86 years. For more than 25 years she worked at Virginia Tech. First in the Student Health building then in the Basketball Office as an Administrative Assistant to the basketball coaches and team. She really found her life’s calling in that role. She loved her Hokies and treated the team like family, helping them through many of their collegiate careers. She loved traveling to the away games and post season tournaments so she could cheer on her “basketball sons.” She made many friends along the way and cherished every friendship as only she could do. She had a way about her that made everyone she met feel special. She loved sharing a good word and bringing a smile to people’s faces. One of her “basketball sons“ described her love as “genuine.” That was definitely Jean.
Her greatest love of all was for her family. Her support for her parents, sisters, brother, husband, sons, daughter and grandchildren never wavered. She met the love of her life Dwight Farmer at a football game when she was in high school and married him the following year. They were married from 1952 until his death in 1989. She always said she was like a Cardinal, she had one life love and it was him. She and “Cracker” raised their children in Fairlawn, Virginia where they were active in their community helping to found the Riverlawn Recreation Association. Their home was always the hub of activity and the dinner table full of welcomed guests. Jean was truly at home when she was surrounded by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Maude Ferguson, husband Dwight “Cracker” Farmer and son Doug Farmer, and grandchildren Andy Farmer and Sheila Caudillo.
She is survived by her sons Mike Farmer (Carol) of Chesapeake, Va; Bill “Bebop” Farmer (Karen) of Shelton, Ct; Scott Farmer (Brenda) of Claytor Lake, Va. Her daughter Cindy Farmer Wood (Bill) of Greensboro, NC. Her grandchildren Jerry, Joey and Sonja Caudillo, Matt Farmer, Jon Farmer, Merle and Steve Sprague, Neil and Dwight Farmer, Kylie and Abby Wood and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her family was large, as was her heart and love for them all.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Jacqui McDuffie and Matthew Graham of Medi Home Health & Hospice who cared so wonderfully for their mother. Their’s was a special relationship gifted by God.
The celebration of Jean’s life will be a Hokie affair. It will be held Thursday, September 1, 2022 at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 600 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Va. The family will greet friends starting at 12:30 pm at the church. Burial will follow at Sunrise Burial Park, 7228 Round House Street, Fairlawn, VA.
The family is asking that you come wearing orange and maroon and your best Hokie fan gear, as they celebrate one of the greatest Hokie fans of all time. T-shirts and casual attire are very welcome.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to the Va Tech Hokie Club (earmarked for the VT Basketball Program) PO Box 10307, Blacksburg VA 24062-0307 and Medi Home and Health Hospice 319 N Washington Ave, Pulaski, VA 24301.
Always remember Kindness is never wasted!