Former Barrington First Lady, Mrs. Evelyn Ferrin, 101

The Gordon College community mourns the death of Evelyn Blanche Ferrin, wife of the late Dr. Howard W. Ferrin, former president of Barrington College. Mrs. Ferrin, formerly of Barrington, Rhode Island, passed away June 30, 2011.

She was born December 19, 1909, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Monroe and Jennie Blanche Hardy Fuller. She was a graduate of Lowell High School and Lowell Normal School, and gained leadership experience with Christian Endeavor. An elementary school teacher with the Tewksbury School Department for seven years, she then married Dr. Howard W. Ferrin. After helping to raise six children, she received her Bachelor in Education degree from Rhode Island College in 1967 and returned to teaching as an elementary school teacher in Barrington, Rhode Island for 15 years, retiring in 1975. In 2000 Evelyn received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Gordon College. At the age of 100 she moved to Mineral Wells, West Virginia, where she made her home with her daughter, Priscilla, and granddaughter, Jennifer.  

Mrs. Ferrin was a charter member of the Barrington Baptist Church, where she had been active in the Handbell Choir, as a Sunday school teacher, and as chair of the Missions Committee. She was also active on the boards of Child Evangelism and Community Chaplains of Rhode Island, also serving as chair. She is survived by four children: Elizabeth Joyce Mostrom of Holland, Michigan; Rev. Paul E. Ferrin of Worcester, Massachusetts; Dr. Priscilla F. Leavitt of Mineral Wells, West Virginia; and Dr. Richard W. Ferrin of Belmont, North Carolina; 23 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Howard W. Ferrin, in 1993; two sons, David E. Ferrin in 1992 and Howard W. Ferrin Jr. in 1981; one brother, Roland Fuller; and one sister, Dorothy Wood. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard W. Ferrin Scholarship Fund, Gordon College Development Office, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, Massachusetts, 01984 or the Mission Committee of Barrington Baptist Church, Old County Road, Barrington, Rhode Island, 02806 or of Christ United Methodist Church, 1715 16th Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia, 26101.

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