Barbara Ensley

Waynesville, Barbara Ferguson Ensley, age 78, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2019 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Paul William Ferguson and Georgia Manella Woody.  Barbara was a life-long member of Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church.  She was a star basketball player for Fines Creek High School and later played college basketball for University of Tennessee.  Barbara was instrumental in developing Haywood Community College’s Medical Assisting program and served as a HCC educator for 32 years.  For many years, Barbara was on the test construction committee for the American Association of Medical Assistants Certifying Board.  Locally, she was also active in Haywood County’s AAMA chapter.  At her core, however, Barbara was a farm girl.  Growing up in Fines Creek, Barbara enjoyed salting her family’s cows and growing a large garden each summer.  She would plant a beautiful garden full of tomatoes, green beans and corn which she often shared with neighbors and friends.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 58 years, R. Neal Ensley; daughter and son-in-law, Ann E. Ensley and Kaj Miller, of Flagstaff, Arizona; sister-in-law, Doris Ensley McCall; brother, Bernard William "B.W." Ferguson (Brenda), of Clyde; four nephews, Michael and Justin Ferguson and Dan and Doug McCall.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2019 at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church with Reverend Tim McConnell and Reverend John Ferree officiating.  Burial will follow at Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haywood Health Care Foundation c/o Haywood Hospice, 43 Bowman Drive, Waynesville, NC 28785 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

The care of Barbara has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.