Elizabeth Ann Bond's Obituary
Elizabeth Ann Ferguson Bond (1935 — 2024)
Elizabeth Ann Ferguson Bond, 88, died of natural causes on May 19, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.
Betty was born on July 30, 1935, in Lorain, Ohio, to the Honorable Frederick George and Beatrice (Kissell) Ferguson. Her love and passion for education and learning began at St. Mary’s Academy and High School, taking her to Ohio State for a bachelor’s in education, and eventually to SMU, where she was awarded a master’s degree in counseling. While it’s true that she once entertained the idea of entering the convent, Betty instead chose the vocation that would take her to the other side of the world and back, and that she would continue well into her 80’s: elementary school teacher and counselor.
Starting out in her hometown of Lorain, OH, she soon took off to teach abroad. Betty was a born traveler and loved the experience of being immersed in foreign cultures; Japan and Venezuela were among her favorite postings. It was in Caracas, teaching children of oil industry employees, that she met a young Exxon executive named James Bond, who convinced her to marry him and move to his hometown of Dallas. Betty’s definition of “settling down” was to attend graduate school while expecting a baby; and once their son Eric was born, she settled into her role as a busy wife, teacher, and mother. Like many educators she often needed to take a second job, yet still attended every soccer game, tennis tournament, and opening weekend of the latest movie release. The trio simply loved going to the movies together more than just about anything else in the world; and after Jim’s death in 1985, she and Eric continued their tradition of regular movie outings, eventually passing on her love of cinema to her three grandchildren. This nurturing love of the cinema at an early age led Eric to a fun and exciting 30+ year career in the movie industry.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, Betty was a beloved second grade teacher at St. Rita Catholic School, and ultimately served the DISD for more than 30 years. Retiring in 2016, at the age of 81, she was finally able to devote all of her time to her favorite activities: movies with family and friends, trips to the casinos in Shreveport and Choctaw, and watching Wheel of Fortune.
Whenever Betty was introduced to someone new, her response was always a warm “Nice to know you!” and she meant it. She is survived by countless loving family and friends, including her son Eric, her grandchildren James, Ava, and Carter, and her brother Tom. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, her brother George, and her sister Jane.
A funeral mass at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, TX is planned for Thursday June 20, 2024, at 1230 PM. A celebratory remembrance of life will follow at Four Bullets Brewery in Richardson, TX
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the North Texas Food Bank in Elizabeth Bond’s name.
What’s your fondest memory of Elizabeth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elizabeth?
Share a story where Elizabeth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elizabeth you’ll never forget.
How did Elizabeth make you smile?