From Ireland to Ardmore: City couple completes long trek to citizenship

They may not be new to Ardmore, but Ken and Mary Ferris are Ardmore’s newest U.S. citizens.

The natives of Ireland took the Naturalization Oath on Friday in the Muskogee Federal District Courthouse.

A total of 26 people from 13 countries — Mexico, Vietnam, Nigeria, Netherlands, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Iran, Philippines, Laos and Pakistan — took the oath of allegiance with the Ferrises. It was the culmination of an 11-year process for the couple.

“It was a wonderful ceremony,” Mary said Monday afternoon. “We feel very proud to be Americans. We’re very excited for it to become official.”

Ken and Mary were both born in the Belfast area of Northern Ireland and met at a dance at the Presbyterian Church while students at Queens University there.

After completing their studies, Mary began a career in civil service, dealing with contracts and land acquisitions in Northern Ireland. Ken began his career in the petro-chemical area and then the oil business. They lived and worked throughout the United Kingdom in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England before moving to Ardmore on July 15, 1995. Ken continued his career with Total — now Valero — where he serves as engineer and project director.

Mary said the couple began their quest for citizenship two years after arriving in the United States.

“We probably were slightly unusual. It took us a while to get our Green Card, which is the permanent residence and then once you get your Green Card, there’s a statutory wait for five years before you can apply for the citizenship and then after that it was probably about a year going through the whole process for citizenship,” she said.

According to Ken, the couple have spent the last few years completing all the requirements established in the Immigration and Nationality Act. They followed and completed all the administrative policies in the INA’s handbooks, manuals and guidance procedures and also had fingerprints and photographs done several times.

The couple were notified in May that they had been approved and would take the oath ceremony in mid-June, but Mary was out of the country and Ken opted to wait for her. On July 26, the letter came informing them of the Aug. 22 date in Muskogee.

At the Muskogee Federal District Courthouse on Friday, citizenship was conferred upon them by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberley E. West. Mary and Ken were joined by a large group of friends who had travelled from Ardmore to witness the ceremony and celebrate with the family.

Cameras are not allowed in the courtroom, but the judge allowed a group picture — for the first time — since the Ardmore Daughters of the American Revolution wanted it for possible newspaper use.

Members of the DAR presented flags and naturalization cards to all the new citizens, who also received certificates.

In recognition of the historic event, the couple were given a proclamation from Ardmore Mayor Sheryl Ellis on behalf of the City of Ardmore welcoming and honoring them as citizens. Pat Jurey presented Mary and Ken with their naturalization cards.

Since moving to Ardmore, Ken and Mary have been active in the community. Mary is a member of the Triangle group of Home and Community Education, Ladies of the Leaf and serves on the Ardmore Literacy Board. She is a past board member of Ardmore Day Nursery, works at the Ardmore Soup Kitchen and contributes to many activities through membership with the First Presbyterian Church. Ken keeps busy with church activities, as well as with the Rotary Club, where he currently serves as vice president.

Mary said it was easy to assimilate into the community because people here made them feel immediately at home.

“This is our home. Everybody went out of their way to make us feel very, very welcome,” Mary said. “Friendly, such nice people here. They are the friendliest, nicest people.”

Pat Jurey contributed to this story.