Thyda Pauline (Bryant) Ferguson, 93, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2016 in her home at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, Illinois.

She was born May 13, 1922 in Granite City, Illinois, second child of William Richard Bryant Sr. and Virginia Reel (Newsom) Bryant. After living in rural Missouri, the family moved to Carbondale, IL where she graduated from high school in 1940. Leaving her job as a telephone operator, Thyda graduated from Alton Memorial School of Nursing in 1946 and became a registered nurse. On June 1, 1955 she married George William Ferguson and together they raised their family in and around Bethalto, IL. During that time, her original "Apple Pudding" won the dessert category of a recipe contest in 1981. A move to Lake Placid, Florida came in 1982 where they enjoyed their fruit trees and beautiful sunsets over Lake June. Thyda was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star where she was presented the Grand Cross of Color, and a lifelong member of the Methodist church. While in Florida she volunteered regularly at Manna Ministries and was a local Parish Nurse. A dream of hers was realized in 1997, when one of her original poems was published. She returned to Illinois in 2009. Thyda will be remembered as a loving wife and mother, and friend to all.

She is survived by her daughters Nita Elaine Turner of Austin, TX; (grandson Jimmy Turner III, granddaughter Chelsea Marie Folk), Lois Gayle Ferguson of Phoenix, AZ, Teresa Lynn Ferguson (Pete Stavrides) of Troy, IL; (granddaughter Stephanie Marie Gallagher (Sean); great grandchildren Taylor and Colten, grandson Daniel P. Stavrides (Maria); great granddaughter Arielle), and Georgan Sue Schuetz (Steven); (granddaughter McKenna Lynn Schuetz-Reyes (Eduardo), great granddaughters Lyla and Victoria, granddaughter Kara Nicole Schuetz, great grandson Mason, and grandson Joshua Steven Schuetz).

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers William Richard Bryant Jr., Edwin Lee Bryant, and Darrell Wayne Bryant.

Memorials may be made to "Lutheran Senior Services Benevolent Care" and sent to Meridian Village (c/o Rebecca Zimmer) 27 Auerbach Place, Glen Carbon, IL, 62034.