Belinda Foy Ferguson

Belinda Jane Foy Ferguson was born February 13,1939, in Portland, Maine. She moved to Bradenton from Hickam Field, Oahu, Hawaii in 1947. After graduating from Manatee High, Belinda attended Meredith College and the University of North Carolina where she was an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Freshman Orientation Leader, and an avid volunteer. In honor of her contributions to UNC, Belinda was inducted into The Order of the Old Well. She graduated with a major in education and a minor in Spanish. Throughout her teaching career, Belinda taught in several school districts and treasured her time teaching Spanish in Pinellas County. She loved teaching children to speak Spanish and conversing with others in their native tongue.

Following college, Belinda returned to Bradenton where she married the love of her life, Rev. Harry Mason Ferguson, Jr. She was an extraordinary mother to her daughter, Melissa Jane (Anthony Ashley Rowell), and twin boys, Mason Lee and Frank Wilson Ferguson. As the wife of a Presbyterian minister, Belinda taught Sunday School and served churches in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton with her many talents. Belinda deeply cherished her role as “Nana” to her three grandchildren: Jane Ashley Rowell, Tyler Ferguson, and Tiffany Ferguson. In retirement, Belinda enjoyed traveling the world and talking to everyone she met along the way. Harry and Belinda were married for 63 years, and her beloved husband spent every waking moment by her side caring for her as she courageously battled Parkinson’s disease. 

Belinda is predeceased by her mother, Jane Inman Foy Burnett, father, Lt. Col. John Frank Foy, and stepfather, W. Milton Burnett, Jr. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, brother, Rev. John (Jerry) Foy, and many dear nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Belinda’s entrance into the Church Triumphant will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024. Burial will follow at Bradenton’s Fogartyville Cemetery. 

In memory of Belinda, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton’s Music Ministry.