Bessie Ferguson Diket

Bessie Ferguson Diket, 102 years of age, passed away January 26, 2015, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel,MS, surrounded by her family. She was the last surviving child born to Henry Jackson Cameron Ferguson & Elizabeth McNair Ferguson, on Oct. 5, 1912, in Learned, MS. She graduated from Hinds Agricultural High School and Hinds Community College before becoming employed with the Federal Land Bank where she met & married Merrill Diket, later moving to Canton,MS, where they owned and operated Madison County Equipment Co. before Mr. Diket’s premature death in 1951. After selling the John Deere dealership, Mrs. Diket held a number of positions the last of which was Assistant Administrator of Madison County Nursing Home in Canton. In 1980, Mrs. Diket relocated to Laurel,MS, to be nearer her children and joined the First Baptist Church of Laurel. For fifteen years she lived at Wesley Manor in Hattiesburg. She returned to Comfort Care in Laurel in 2012 where she resided until her death. Although her physical health had failed, her mental faculties were amazing and her new passion was playing Bingo with her friends and family. Mrs. Diket was pre-deceased by her parents, Henry Jackson Cameron Ferguson and Elizabeth McNair Ferguson, husband, Merrill Edward Diket,Sr., eleven siblings and their spouses. She is survived by Gwendolyn Stephens of Semmes,AL, Merrill Edward Diket,Jr. (Dr. Read Diket) of Laurel, Linda Walters of Laurel & Deborah Smith (Curtis) of Hattiesburg. She is also survived by grandchildren Robbie Everett, III (Paula) of North Dighton, MA, John Everett (Michelle), of Semmes, AL, Cameron Diket (Jenna), Jackson,MS, Melissa Scarafoni (Matt), Pittsfield,MA, Tally Scully (Michael), Riverbend, CA. Rev. Bud Putnam (Tracie)), Picayune, MS, Jeff Putnam (Lu), Picayune, MS, Wesley Putnam, Picayune,MS., Lauren Land (Rev. Kendal), Longview, TX, & Anna Gospodinovich, (Matt), New Orleans, LA,. In addition, she is survived by eleven great-grandchildren. Services will be at Memory Chapel on Friday, January 30th with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30AM and memorial service at 10:30AM with graveside rites in Canton,MS. At 3PM.

Bessie Ferguson Diket

October 5, 1912 - January 26, 2015