Miriam Ferriss

Miriam Izard Ferriss, 101, passed away peacefully in her home October 16, 2023.  Visitation will be 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, MS.  Memorial Service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m.

She was born in New Hebron, MS, on August 3, 1922 to the late Dr. S. Edward Izard and May Drummond Izard. She graduated from New Hebron High School in 1939. Miriam graduated from Blue Mountain College with a major in music education in 1943. She served on the Baptist Student Union Council, President of the senior class and was a member of the college glee club, college choir and orchestra.

Miriam taught public school music in Shaw, MS 1943-1948. Teaching in Shaw is where she met her future husband, Dave “Boo” Ferriss.  They were married in 1948 and were married 68 years until the time of his death in 2016. She knew nothing about baseball when she first met Boo but quickly learned the game and was a fixture in the stands for every single ballgame.  She and Boo welcomed many a player into their home and the players were always delighted when she served her delicious blueberry pie.

Miriam was the Supervisor of the Delta State Language Laboratory from 1968-1986. She was a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland. She was active in teaching children’s Sunday School and leading adult Bible Studies. She served in the chancel and hand bell choirs, the church library and participated in mission work. Miriam was most proud of her involvement in helping to establish a library in Liberia, W. Africa for African Bible Colleges.  After four years of processing 7000 books, she and others traveled to Yekepa, Liberia in 1981 to help set up the library and teach the students the library system.   Miriam was a mentor to many women at Covenant Church sharing her faith and leading by example. 

Miriam’s friends knew if she wasn’t at a ballgame, she was busy working in her beautiful yard, reading her latest book or making her well-known coffee cake for someone in need. She amazed her friends and family with her wonderful attitude and independence in her advanced years. 

She was predeceased by two brothers, Dr. S. Edward Izard, Jr. and Drummond Izard, three sisters, Fannie May Izard, Sara Hough and Jessie Vee Izard.  She is survived by two children, Dr. David M. Ferriss, Jr. (Pam) of Brentwood, TN and Margaret Ferriss White (John) of Madison, MS; two grandchildren, Miriam Pittman (Chase) of Memphis and David M. Ferriss III (Mary Elizabeth) of Nashville. She also leaves four great grandchildren, Mary Chase, Kathryn and Jane Pittman and Paxton Ferriss. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews and their children.

Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church Missions, P.O. Box 896, Cleveland, MS 38732; Reformed Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 1015, Clinton, MS 39060 or a charity of your choice.