Jackie Ferguson Mitchell-Alabama Buckelew Family
Montgomery Advertiser
December 15, 2007
MITCHELL, Jackie Ferguson Mitchell, 58, of Montgomery, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2007, at her home surrounded by her beloved family. Jackie Mae Ferguson was born on October 20, 1949 in Birmingham, Alabama to Jack Green Ferguson and Dorothy Beryl Higginbotham. Her maternal grandparents were Floyd Washington Higginbotham and Rosa Mae Buckelew of Mount Olive, Alabama. Her paternal grandparents were Frank Green Ferguson and Emma Jean Baker of Gardendale, Alabama.
Surviving her are two children: Henry Mitchell of Montgomery, Alabama, and Jason Mitchell (Lisa) of Prattville, Alabama. She is survived by three grandchildren: Thomas Jason Mitchell, John Patrick Mitchell and Samantha Nicole Mitchell, all of Prattville, Alabama. Also surviving is her mother, Beryl Ferguson, and her sister, Becky Gospodareck (Johnny), both of Gardendale, Alabama. Preceding her in death were her beloved son Cary Thomas Mitchell and father Jack Green Ferguson. She was educated in the public schools of Birmingham, Alabama, and was a 1967 graduate of Banks High School. She attended both Auburn University and the University of West Florida. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University, she delayed her professional career to devote full time preparing her three sons for adulthood. She was employed for many years with the Economic Development Institute at Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery. Her achievements in securing millions of dollars in Federal Grants for Alabama cities, counties, and universities, was recognized with numerous awards from economic development professionals throughout the state. In 1994, Alabama Governor Jim Folsom appointed her Chief of the Planning and Economic Development Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. After her service in the Governor's cabinet, she continued securing federal monies for various government entities, and began representing business and educational interests before the Alabama Legislature. The family will receive friends Saturday, December 15, 2007, from 12:30 pm until 2pm at the Alabama Heritage Funeral Home Chapel, Montgomery, Alabama. A Service of Celebration and Remembrance of the Life of Jackie Ferguson Mitchell will follow at 2 p.m. Internment will follow at Alabama Heritage Cemetery. ALABAMA HERITAGE DIRECTING