Celebrating some of Kentucky’s most experienced newspaper people

Mary D. Ferguson

By Ashlee Marston
Kentucky Press Association staff

Mary D. Ferguson always knew she wanted to work for the Kentucky New Era. She still is not even sure what drew her to journalism.

Ferguson grew up living on a farm in Hopkinsville and would look forward to the arrival of the newspaper every day so her parents could read it to her. She graduated from what is now known as Austin Peay State University, in Clarksville, Tenn., receiving a degree in English.

While in college, she worked for the Leaf-Chronicle for four years as the society director. Upon returning to Hopkinsville, Ferguson took on the job as news director for WHOP Radio for about five years.

On Feb. 5, 1962, she went to work for the Kentucky New Era, and has been there since, although she is semi-retired. She writes the obituaries, weddings, engagements and a weekly column, “Inquiring Reporter,” which features people and events in Hopkinsville, Christian County and surrounding areas.

"Fort Campbell brings the world to our door," she said. "There is never a dull moment."

On March 18, 2003, Ferguson wrote a story called “A reflection of 50 years as a reporter,” she mentioned her saddest and happiest times. The saddest included "the Gander (Newfoundland, Canada) crash, which claimed the lives of more than 200 Fort Campbell soldiers in 1985." The happier times, she said, were "often simple times."

She said the entire experience and the interesting people she has met is what she will always remember the most about her career. Ferguson has had the honor to have met "Presidents Johnson, Reagan, George Bush, his son, the current president when he campaigned here; Vice President Dan Quayle, saw President Clinton when he made a brief stop at Fort Campbell and covered Carter's visit in Henderson."

"This is all I ever wanted to do," Ferguson said.

Ferguson has been in the newspaper business for 54 years. She lives in Hopkinsville with her husband, Russell, and they have a daughter, Lee Ellen Ferguson Fish.

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