Joseph Ferrell Drummond
Drummond, Joseph Ferrell passed away peacefully at home May 7, 2016. He is survived by his wife Doris, his children Dr Frank Drummond & his wife Deena Drummond, Nancy Drummond Ransom & her husband Alan Van Ransom, his grandchildren, Jessica 15, Camille 4 and Colette 2.
One of Dr. Drummonds many passions was education, holding degrees in English, a masters in English Education, a masters in Divinity from Emory University and a doctorate in ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary, along with special studies at the University of Georgia and Wesley College in Bristol, England.
A gifted and celebrated educator, he taught at West Georgia College and at Carrollton High School for 8 years. He was named Star Teacher of the year for 6 of those years. In 1972 he was named State Star Teacher of the year. He was seminal in the creation of special education for gifted and talented students.
Ferrell was passionate about a variety of things including being a master gardener, a gifted self taught pianist, a lover of southern literature and poetry.
He was happiest outside with his hands in the dirt and shared his knowledge and cuttings freely.
He will be most remembered for his second career as a United Methodist minister in the North Georgia Conference. He served in churches in Carrollton, Griffin, Rome, Augusta, Atlanta, and Mountain Park. He was known for his compassion and empathy. He spent many nights consoling those dealing with the inevitable parts of life, grief, loss, death, birth, addiction and trauma. He was a true pastor who never shied away from the hard issues of life.
Ferrell’s legacy is too long to be captured in one setting but he will best be remembered for his caring heart, his inquisitive mind and his accepting home — all were always welcomed and warmed by all three.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, Carrollton, GA, with Alan Hunt presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ferrell Drummond Library associated with the Kenya Project of the North Georgia Conference. Donations can be made online at thekenyaproject.org or by calling 770-408-8696
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As my English teacher at Carrollton High, Dr. Drummond opened my eyes to all of the great writers and my own ability as a creative writer. He was a wonderful teacher and I shall always remember him.
I will remember Dr. Drummond as a kind, down-to-earth man, extremely talented, yet humble. Together we worked on a Kenya project of gathering picture books, textbooks, encyclopedias, and teaching charts for the Kenya school which had a library dedicated in honor of Dr. Drummond but was in need of reading material. Enough was gathered, with great help from H.A. Jones Elementary in Bremen, Ga., to fill an entire truck-size shipping crate. He felt great joy in getting the library filled for the students in a school where there once was no school! Always trying to serve others, he made an impression on me… a man devoted to learning and helping others learn.
My condolences to Doris and his family. His memory will be one I will treasure.
I remember Dr. Drummond with fondness and deep respect. There is little doubt my life would be very different today without the wise counsel and support he offered when I was a student at Carrollton High School. He was a gifted teacher and a mentor to many of my classmates. He was a great man who truly made a difference in the lives of those he touched. He will be missed.
Dr. Drummond occasionally substituted at Carrollton High School many years ago. He encouraged my son to study English, complimenting him as a writer. He did get a degree in English and Philosophy, and is now in Law School. I will forever thank him for his encouragement to my son.
Ferrell was the best teacher that I had at Carrollton High school and was no doubt the reason I did well in college English. He was a wonderful Christian man who was loved by everyone that knew him!
Ferrell Drummond was one of the very greatest human beings I have ever known. He will forever live in my memory. He was the ultimate teacher, pastor, and friend. I shall dearly miss him.
As one of my mentors in my high school, college, and early married life, Dr. Ferrell Drummond will always hold a special place in my heart. He was an extraordinary educator who’s passion for his faith and learning was contagious. I know he is enjoying his beautiful heavenly garden! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
My parents James Wesley Carel and Dorris Carel were members of First United Methodist Church in Carrollton. He will be missed.
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Drummond was a fabulous English teacher and I will always appreciate his impact on my life. He is remembered fondly.
He was very dear to my Mom and Dad – Jimmy and Dorris Carel.
There are no words to describe the love we as Master Gardeners had for Ferrell. I met him in 2004 the year I started as secretary at the Extension office. He always had the best smile when he came in the office. He was our Circuit Preacher for Ag Heritage Days. He also got me involved with the Kenya Project. I do believe the library in which he helped was named after him. What an honor. There are so many memories I can go on. To Ferrell’s family, there is now another Angel up in Heaven. Rest in Peace my friend. You were are loved.
So many memories of Ferrell as we worked together in Carrollton Schools and were members in Carrollton First United Methodist Church. Most of all he and his family were friends. May God be with all of you and give you needed strength for these days. What a legacy Ferrell leaves! Well done, good and faithful servant.
I will never forget the kindness and support Ferrell showed me years ago following my accident. He was always there when I least expected it and I probably would not have made it back without his support and encouragement. I have never known a finer individual. God Bless You
Ferrell, Was such a fine Christian man. Our prayers are with Doris and family. Ned Harman
He was such an inspiration to so many of us and a teacher of that caliber will be remembered forever.
I will forever remember Dr. Drummond as the best English teacher I ever had. So sorry for your loss but so very thankful for his awesome legacy. May the God of all comfort give you peace that passes understanding. Love in Him, Barbara McKenzie Hemrick
Please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers. This amazing teacher, caring man, and compassionate soul has found his Eternal home. It is so hard to see how or world is better without him here; it isn’t. It is, however, easy to see how this mortal coil is better from him having been here and with us. I am honored to have know this fine individual and to have been one of his students. I am privileged to have been his friend. May he rest in Peace -forever- surrounded by Perpetual light.
My condolences to the family on behave of my family and the entire Kenya Project inc and the Student and staff of Mountain Park in Nakuru Kenya Ferrell was very instrumental in helping start this organization, helped me also in settling in the USA. He has been to Kenya with us and was there when we dedicated our building and the library which in named in his honor. RIP my friend my brother.
So so sorry for your loss, Ferrell was such a great man .
I had the honor of being Ferrell Drummond’s student at Governor’s Honors years ago. Not only was he the best English teacher I ever had, he was a caring and inspiring individual. I am saddened at his loss.
We thought so much of Ferrell, as did our children. We enjoyed him as a pastor as well as a friend. He will be greatly missed. We pray God’s comfort during this difficult time for each of you. Sincerely, Charlotte and Thompson Lewis
IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS YOU CAN IN FERRELL DRUMMOND’S CLASS!
I worked with Dr. Drummond at Mount Pisgah Christian School for several years in the early 2000’s and enjoyed his mentoring for many years after that. He was a tremendous human being and will be missed.
I know this comes many years after his passing, but Dr. Drummond was the most compassionate and approachable teacher from whom I ever learned. (That twisted syntax was for you, sir. I’m sure you would forgive a preposition at the end of a sentence, and we both know it’s acceptable, but just in case.)
I learned from Dr. Drummond that learning had an intrinsic value far beyond what could be earned monetarily from an education.
His classroom had a poster hanging in it. This would have been 1971-72. It was a bit tattered around the edges, obviously having been around from the 60s.
It had a flower on it (of course) with the words:
It’s a terrible thing to know the answer to a question you can never ask.
That poster seemed to capture everything that was good, wholesome, and provocative about the 60s. Dr. Drummond was the very embodiment of the good things that came from those days, and I will forever have a good thought and a fond memory of him.
My most influential teacher in life. Period. I miss him. I hope to see him again.