Ferne Sexton

Mrs. Ferne Madison Sexton, 88, of Statesville, N.C., passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at Gordon Hospice House. She was born December 31, 1922 in Statesville, and was the daughter of the late Sherill Martin Madison and Ruby Douglas Madison. She was a graduate of Statesville High School Class of 1940 where she was Salutatorian. She attended Mitchell College and served as Executive Secretary of Ryerson Steel Company in Charlotte, N.C. During her working years, she was an active member and past president of the Charlotte Business and Professional Women's Club. During her retirement years, she was active in growing flowers and sharing them with her friends. She was a member of Oakland Presbyterian Church and had also attended Monticello United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Claude Madison and Ferry Madison. Mrs. Sexton is survived by one son, Michael "Mike" A. Sexton and one grandson, Steven Michael Sexton, both of Mooresville, N.C.; two sisters, Jean M. Bingham and Jewel M. Thompson (Jim), of Statesville, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 10:30 am Monday, July 11, 2011, at Oakland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Steve Snipes officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Denny Thompson, Johnny Reid, Tony Madison, Tim Thompson, Jim Reid, and Jim Godfrey. The family will visit with friends Sunday evening 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Nicholson Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Oakland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 5362, Statesville, N.C. 28625, or to Monticello United Methodist Church, 308 Island Ford Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Ferne Madison Sexton.