Ferne Culpepper Presley, 94 of Collierville, Tennessee, formerly of Jonesboro, Arkansas, entered into her heavenly home July 10, 2026 surrounded by her family. She was born June 24, 1932 in York, Alabama to Lenard and Earlyene Culpepper.

Ferne’s life was a life of compassion and service. Following graduation from York High School, where she was active in band and Civic clubs, she graduated from Birmingham Business College. Following college, she was employed by the Bank of York as Secretary to the Bank President. While she was employed at the bank, she met Al Presley, who was leading singing at First Baptist in York and the rest is history. They married in 1958 and had 68 years together. Following their marriage, Ferne and Al moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he served as music director of Victoria Baptist Church and Ferne was the pianist for adult and youth choirs. In 1969, Ferne was commissioned by the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board to come to Arkansas to do mission work. As a member of First Baptist in Jonesboro, she was active in the primary children’s class and served as musician for the children’s choir. She loved to cook and while in Jonesboro, she owned and operated a bakery, The Pantry, where she became well known for her beautiful cakes and pastries. She was a devoted mother of four children. She was active in PTA and served as class mom at West School and other community functions. In line with her faith in Jesus, she assumed care for her mother, who came to live with her following her father’s death. For forty-eight years she provided a loving home for her mother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as a son, Shawn Presley.

Those remaining to grieve her loss include her husband, Alden (Al) Presley; three children, Shearon (Brian) McDaniel, Sabrina (Lynn) Tackett and Andrew (Cladeeca) Presley as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A visitation will be held at Emerson Funeral Home from 1-2 pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

The funeral service will follow the visitation at 2pm. The service will be officiated by Dr. Rodney Reeves and a solo will be sung at the service by Chris Armstrong. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Bruce Armstrong, Camden Presley, Andrew Tackett, Rob Counts John Huff and Cory Ketchersid.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas.