Your view: A $2 story

All of Sikeston

Thank you for all the support the city as a whole showed us during the days that surrounded the passing of John F. "Frank" Ferrell. He was the leader of our close-knit family as well as a community leader. While we were happy to spread his words of wisdom and his many stories, we were even more ecstatic to hear about other good deeds that he had been involved in from you. It's amazing to hear about all the great things he did without ever asking for acknowledgement or "face time" in the newspaper or television.

As the $2 bill is rare in today's circulation, he too was a rare individual. His use of the $2 bill as a business card and greeting will not be forgotten. His generosity to the community must also be remembered by all that knew him. If you ever received a donation or favor from him, the best way to return that favor would be to make a donation to your favorite charity in $2 bills. Help show that his kindness and unselfishness are still being remembered and carried forward. I challenge Sikeston to not forget what he meant to the city and help our local organizations continue with their wonderful charitable work with $2 bills. Use the $2 bills to purchase that ticket, make a donation, or as an offering at church. The $2 bill is not a limit but a starting point, to be more like Frank Ferrell.

A poem was on his desk and it was read daily. One verse from it is as follows:

"Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do -- just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it." an excerpt from the poem "Just for Today" by Sybyl F Partridge, 1916.

That one verse in itself describes Frank Ferrell. Throughout the rest of the poem there are more words that he lived by daily. As with his charitable work and his use of the $2 bills, it now has a new meaning that we as a community must continue what he was striving for, with "unity" as in our comm "unity."

We also found an index card from a speech he was giving that said something to this effect- if making a donation makes you feel good add 25 percent more to it and you'll feel great! Start making your donations in $2 bills and continue what Frank Ferrell started.

From Buzz Ferrell and all the Ferrell Family - thank you!