Stephen W. Ferguson, 74, of Emporia, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, April 16 while attending a retriever field trial in Rocky Point, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patsy Saffelle Ferguson, his daughter Carole Johnson, her husband, Richard, and four granddaughters: Virginia, Margaret, Lilli and Caroline Johnson, all of Wilmington, NC, and many loving members of his extended family. He was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Ferguson, Jr., his parents, Odell and C. Wade Ferguson of Emporia, and his sister Patricia Mitchell of Courtland. Steve was born on February 19, 1942 in Emporia and lived on his family farm there all his life. Patsy and Steve were high school sweethearts and were married in Emporia in August, 1963. Steve graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1964 and was a life-long farmer and agribusiness man. He was the owner of Greensville Feed Mill, Greensville Pork Farm, and Southside Cotton Gin. For the past 20 years he was active in his life’s passion with the Tidewater Retriever Club, Blue Ridge Retriever Club and Mid-Atlantic Hunting Retriever Club. Steve enjoyed spending his days with his chocolate labs, training and working with his good friends from the retriever clubs on his farm, and traveling all over the country to field trials. His other passions were spending time with his daughter and her family and enjoying an active social life with his dear wife and many long-time friends. He was respected and loved far and wide for his enthusiastic love of life and constantly uplifting personality. A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at the family farm on Brink Road on Sunday April 24 at 2 p.m. Signs and directions will be provided upon arrival. Casual attire and comfortable shoes are suggested. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, the Greensville-Emporia Rescue Squad, or the charity of your choice.