Elaine Murman Ferguson age 64 beloved mother and grandmother passed away on September 21 2011.  Visitation will be Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. at North's Funeral Home 242 Orange St .  A Graveside service will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Buffalo Gap Cemetery and will be officiated by Father Fred Nawarskas.  A reception will follow at the Abilene Country Club. Elaine was born on July 28 1947 in Cleveland Ohio and was the oldest daughter of six children to Charles and Agnes Murman.  She attended high school at St. Augustine Academy where she was editor of the high school yearbook and newspaper.  She was active in theater and performed in musicals put on by the companion boys' high school St. Edward.  She attended Marygrove College in Detroit and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Dayton . After moving to Texas in 1973 she continued her love for reading and education by earning her Master of Arts in English from Abilene Christian University her Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University and her law degree from St. Mary's University.  She enjoyed teaching English at Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry College .  While practicing law she most enjoyed her work serving as an attorney and guardian ad litem in Child Protective Services cases where she felt she could reach out to those in need. Elaine's greatest love was being a mother and grandmother to her family.  She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Charles and Kate Ferguson of Albany Texas and their children Mary Ellis (9) Louise (8) and Henry (4); daughter and son-in-law David and Brenda Hasenzahl of Fort Worth Texas and their daughter Elaine Elizabeth (7 months) and step-son Zackary (9); and son Brian Ferguson of Austin Texas; her mother Agnes Murman of Lakewood Ohio; brothers Michael Murman and David Murman; and sisters Anne Marie Grove and Maureen Murman. She was preceded in death by her father Charles Murman and sister Evelyn Quigley. Elaine's family would like to thank all of those who helped support her during her brave battle with cancer and to all of her friends and colleagues at the Taylor County Courthouse whose letters and telephone calls brought her happiness. A special thank you to Dr. Anton Melnyk and his caring staff at Texas Oncology Dr. Sara Trammell and the nurses at Hendrick in-hospital Hospice Dr. Peter Norton Dr. Kathryn Norton Dr. Joseph and Evelyn Ferguson and Elaine's home health aids Nellie Tanya Barbara and Helen. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Legal Aid of Northwest Texas 500 Chestnut Street Suite 901 Abilene Texas 79602 .