Jean Ferrell Styles

DURHAM – Ms. Waverly “Jean” Ferrell Styles passed away Friday, May 21, 2021 at the age of 73 in her hometown of Durham, NC.

Jean was born January 11, 1948 to the late Excell Osborne Ferrell Jr. and Bertha Leonard Ferrell. Jean was a 1966 graduate of Jordan High School and attended East Carolina University. She enjoyed a successful career in the research chemistry division at Burroughs Wellcome Co. for nearly 20 years. Her love of sewing and crafts led her to start her own business, a popular gift boutique called “Something Special”. Jean was a lifelong member and Deacon of Lowe’s Grove Baptist Church. She worked extensively with the youth group and served on several committees. Jean also founded “Len’s Friends” in honor of her brother.  The mission of this group was to bring the disabled together for activities and fellowship. When Jean wasn’t volunteering her time, she worked with the Durham County Community Living Program and the ARC of the Triangle as a Community Support Coordinator.  In this role, Jean worked with teenagers and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  She had a veracious passion for assisting these individuals develop life skills and help them achieve their personal goals and dreams. Her love, devotion and commitment to the Lord was evident in how she put everyone else’s needs before her own.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded by her brother, Leonard “Len” Wayne Ferrell.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Nicole Frazier Williams and her husband Shannon; and Lisa Daniele Yarbrough; brother, Excell O. Ferrell, III and his wife Paula; Jean had seven grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She was so proud of Tanner, Dominick, Camryn, Mackenzie, Parker, Logan and Tripp and she constantly reminded them that “God is good all the time and all the time, God is good”.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at Lowe’s Grove Baptist Church. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Reverend Dr. Robert Wortham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Lowe’s Grove Baptist Church Endowment Fund.