Joseph Ferguson was born to Reverend Dabb and Annie Bell Ferguson in Carrolton, Alabama; he was the fifth child of ten children. Joe confessed Christ at the early age of nine in Fulton, MS at St. Matthews Baptist Church. Later, he continued his Christian journey at Second Baptist Church in Verona,MS. Joe was educated at East High School graduation with the Class of 1967. His career was coaching and teaching, centered around his most beloved passion, basketball. On August 22, 1971, Joe and Velma united in marriage and shared forty-two wonderful, fruitful, and rewarding years. Joe was awarded his first basketball scholarship to Mississippi Valley State in 1967 where he attended for one semester but then decided to transfer to Itawamba Junior College where he was awarded a full two year scholarship from 1967-1969. After graduating from IJC, he was awarded another scholarship to Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs. He was a 1971 graduate of Mississippi Industrial College with a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education. Joe was the girls basketball and track coach for 26 years in Nettleton School. He was named Lee County Girls Basketball Coach of the Year from 1993-96. Joe was inducted into the ICC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. Joe leaves to cherish his memories: His wife, Velma Ferguson; one son, Jason (Gena) Ferguson of Davie, FL; two grandsons: Jason II and Geno Ferguson; two brothers: Reverend Roy (Coleen) Ferguson of Tuscaloosa, AL and William (Lillian) Ferguson of Flint, MI; five sisters: Eloise (Kenneth) Stubbs of Fulton, Martha (Louis) Henderson of Starkville and Mary (Joe) Bean, Georgia Casey, and Nell Ferguson all of Tuscaloosa, AL; and a host of special nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Robert "Bud" Ferguson and Dabb Ferguson Jr.