Jo Ann Walk Ferguson

Jo Ann Walk Ferguson, age 89, died Monday February 2, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. A Mass of Resurrection will be held Saturday February 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church. Visitation will be held Thursday February 12, 2026 from 5 until 7 and again Friday February 13, 2026 from 4 until 7 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus. Pallbearers will be Bobby Walk, Sean Walk, Ryan Walk, Frank Toth, Jeff Toth and Tony Malici. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Tolner, John Fisher, Rufus Beason, Mike Smith, Jimmy Walk, Allen Tuttle and Charles Moore.

Born May 24, 1936, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph and Catherine Tolner, JoAnn became a licensed cosmetologist after graduating high school and maintained that certification throughout her life. She married Robert L. Walk in November 1958 and followed him for his entire 26-year Air Force career. They had three sons together. After her first husband Robert passed away, she met and married Howard Ferguson in Columbus. JoAnn was an accomplished business woman, owning and operating two General Nutrition Centers in Columbus and Starkville. She was honored in 2008 with the Franchisee of the Year as the longest franchise owner in company history to date. JoAnn’s involvement in the community, business world and Columbus AFB are too numerous to mention but here are some highlights. She was a member of the Columbus chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She received the Torchbearer Degree, Order of the Rose, Silver Circle and received the highest honor in Beta Sigma Phi “The International Award of Distinction”. She was the third person in Mississippi to receive this award. She recently received the Golden Circle Certificate for 50 years in Sorority. JoAnn was also a member of the Military Affairs and Base Community Council of CAFB in which she helped sponsor CAFB Dorm Dinners, anniversary celebrations, the CAFB Air Force Ball, Airmen Leadership School and also helped with the coordination of the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) providing these pilots with local business support throughout their year at CAFB. She was the founder of the Mississippi American Business Woman’s Association and Mississippi State President and was named the American Business Woman’s Association “Woman of the Year” in 2004. Other memberships include the Friendly City Campers, Lowndes County Republican Women, Redwing Garden Club and Lowndes and Oktibbeha Counties’ Chamber of Commerce.

She is survived and sadly missed by her sons, Lt. Col (USAF/Ret) Robert (Kristina) Walk of Queen Creek, AZ, MSgt (USAF/Ret) Donald (Cindy) Walk of Cheyenne, WY, and Thomas Walk of Apache Junction, AZ, step children Amanda (Gary) Smith and George (Kathy) Ferguson. One brother Joseph (Donna) Tolner of Griffin, GA. Grand children, Allyson (Dave) Munsell, Bobby Walk, Sean Walk, Katherine Walk, Samantha (Zack) Omdahl, Ryan (Becca) Walk, Kristi (Matt Harp) Walk and Angie (Cody) Cousins and two step grandchildren Hunter and Katie Ferguson. She will also be greatly missed by her very much adored 10 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and neighbors from Air Force Bases around the world but particularly those from Columbus and Apache Junction.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her spouses, Robert L. Walk of 33 years and Howard Ferguson of 23 years and four siblings, Dorothy Toth, Kash Harris, Fred Tolner and Lenny Tolner.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Annunciation Catholic Church in JoAnn’s name. Thank you.