Kenneth U. Ferrell

Kenneth U. Ferrell, 91, of Valdosta, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Langdale Hospice House.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Ken grew up in Grady County and graduated from Cairo High School in 1952. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Military Police during the Korean War. Following his service, he attended Valdosta State College on the GI Bill, where he studied Biology and helped establish the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

Ken’s lifelong calling was to support students. After beginning his career as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Lowndes County, he was invited by Valdosta State College President Dr. S. Walter Martin to join the college staff. While working at the institution that would become his professional home, he earned his master’s degree in history in 1972. Ken also served his community as the Lowndes County Sheriff in 1975.

Over the next four decades, Ken dedicated himself to student growth and development—first as Director of Student Activities, then as Dean of Students, and ultimately as Vice President of Student Affairs, a role he held until his retirement in 1999.

Ken was deeply committed to helping young people realize their potential, whether through academics, leadership, or athletics. He was known for his generosity and steadfast encouragement of Valdosta State University Athletics, a devotion honored in 2018 when he was inducted into the VSU Athletics Hall of Fame. His legacy of service continues in the lives of countless students and athletes who benefited from his mentorship, advocacy, and belief in their success. Ken’s career at Valdosta State was deeply influenced by the encouragement of President Hugh C. Bailey, whose guidance and belief in Ken’s abilities played an instrumental role in his life and service to the university.

Beyond his professional life, Ken enjoyed the outdoors as an avid golfer and fisherman, and he cherished rounds of cards with family and friends. His lake house was his haven, a gathering place filled with laughter, stories, and memories made on the water. Above all, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was his greatest passion, and he loved them with his whole heart.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Toni Ferrell of Tallahassee, Florida; his daughter, Jill Ferrell of Hahira, Georgia; grandchildren Joshua Ferrell and his wife Liz of Memphis, Tennessee, and Katherine Ferrell of Frisco, Texas; and great-grandchildren Reid Ferrell and Richard Kenneth Ferrell of Memphis. He is also remembered fondly by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee Ferrell, Sr. and Mamie McDuffie Merritt Ferrell; his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Jerry Dean Hurst Ferrell; and two sisters and three brothers.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Ken’s caregivers and to Hospice of South Georgia for their compassionate care.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Cairo, Georgia, at 1:30 p.m. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carson McLane.

Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 2063 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602, or the VSU Foundation, 1500 N. Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31698.

Online condolences may be shared atwww.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ferrell family.