Dr. Barbara Ferguson Caughran

Barbara Ferguson Caughran, age 93, passed away on August 2, 2025. A memorial service will be held at Forest Lake United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a time of visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow on the same day at Currie-Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Hoover, AL at 2:00 p.m. There will be no service at the burial.

Barbara June Ferguson was born on June 17, 1932, in Ringgold, LA, and graduated from high school in Natchez, MS. She attended secretarial school and worked as a secretary in Shreveport, LA for several years. She studied voice with Mrs. Jenness Jones in Shreveport and met another of Mrs. Jones’ students, William H. Caughran, who was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. The couple married in 1955 and settled in his hometown of Athens, AL. Her employment at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, ended in 1956 when their child was born.

She then went back to school, graduated from Athens College, and began her teaching career at Athens Junior High School teaching 8th grade English. In 1967 she moved to Tuscaloosa and earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English from the University of Alabama while teaching at various times at Tuscaloosa High School, Tuscaloosa Academy, and the University of Alabama. Following the completion of her Doctorate, Dr. Caughran taught at Wallace State Community College at both the Selma and Clanton campuses while continuing to maintain a permanent residence in Tuscaloosa. After retiring from full-time teaching, she served as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Montevallo and the University of Alabama.

Dr. Caughran was a member of Forest Lake United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. In addition to singing in church choirs throughout her life, for several years she also sang with, and was a board member of, the Tuscaloosa Community Singers. Dr. Caughran was an avid reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast, opera lover, fan of old movies, animal lover, and supporter of many charitable organizations. She will be remembered by family and friends for her delightful sense of humor.

Dr. Caughran was preceded in death by her parents, Orie B. Ferguson and Gladys Adcock Ferguson; her foster mother, Stella Toler; her brothers, George and Robert Ferguson; and her husband, Bill Caughran, Sr. She is survived by her son, Bill Caughran, Jr. (Mary Ellen); two grandsons, David Caughran (Ashley) and Patrick Caughran; and four great grandchildren. She was very close to cousins who she considered siblings – Anita Calkins, deceased, (Dick), Kathy Anderson Price, and Stephen Adcock (Tricia) and their families. She had many wonderful friends who greatly enriched her life. Her family thanks all her friends as well as the staff of Capstone Village and Park Manor Health and Rehabilitation for their care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Forest Lake United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, to any organization that rescues animals, or to another organization of the donor’s choosing.