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The way
WE were
Stacey & Glenn Ferreri
Camille Anding
As we walked to the front door
of the Ferreri home, Winston,
the gray tabby, sat dozing at the
entrance, probably waiting for
the next open door to give him
entry. It only took one doorbell
ring for the inside welcoming
committee to greet us – three
barking, collared dogs. Then
through the glass panes, we saw
the man of the house walk
toward us while snapping his
finger and pointing the dogs to
their own space.
Just one hello and a brief
introduction identified Glenn
Ferreri as a friendly, warm Cajun
who still treasures fond memories
of growing up in New
Orleans. Mrs. Ferreri, Stacey,
was close behind Glenn, and
their just-home-from-college
daughter, Gabrielle, joined the
introductions. “Gabbi is short
for Gabrielle,” Stacey explained,
“but Gabbi is what we call her.”
Glenn with a twinkle in his
eye for their only child, joked
that it was a perfect name for
her knack at carrying on
conversation.
As we took our seats in the
living area, the family pets made
their way back in the room to be
near their masters. “These are all
rescue animals,” Stacey said as
she pulled Poppi into her lap. “It’s
the only kind of pets we’ve ever
gotten.” As the interview began,
one dog sat sentinel by Glenn;
another stretched out on the
cool, hardwood floor, and Poppi
napped undisturbed except for
an occasional stroke by Stacey.
The immediate feel of the Ferreri
dwelling was of warm hearts,
security, and contentment.
In 1983 Glenn joined the
Marine Corp after realizing a
college football scholarship
and college life were not for
him. College would have to
come later. In 1990 Glenn
had finished his military commitment
and moved to Clinton
and found work which eventually
led to his position as international
sales manager for Blue Bunny
ice cream. From there he was
employed as an international
trade specialist.
Meanwhile, Stacey Smith, a
graduate of the University of
Southern Mississippi, was pursuing
her career as a corporate
paralegal in the Jackson area and
also as an adjunct, teaching
paralegal classes at Hinds
Community College. Mutual
friends introduced the two,
and they became good friends,
even double dating but with
different dates. They weren’t
aware at the time, but others
in their group felt Stacey and
Glenn made a perfect match.
Their first official date with
each other was to see the movie,
Clear and Present Danger. Glenn
asked her out for a second date,
and on the third date, the bells
and whistles rang. “I knew she
was the one,” he said, recalling
their romantic beginning. On
December 19, 1994, Glenn asked
Stacey to marry him. It was no
surprise that she said yes. Stacey
knew they had similar solid family
6 • JUNE 2021