Benjamin Ferguson Sr.

About

West Charlotte High School

Benjamin Ferguson Obituary

Benjamin Ferguson, Sr.
Mr. Ferguson, son of Irwin Ferguson, Sr. and Bennie Mae Ferguson, was born on June 2, 1935 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the youngest of four sons and enjoyed entertaining his friends and family. He died peacefully on March 13, 2008 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina with his family at his side.
Ben, as he was affectionately called, was educated in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and graduated from West Charlotte High School in 1953. After graduation, Ben served his country in the United States Navy, traveling to several countries including Japan, Korea and Thailand.
Ben retired after 30 years with Mutual Savings & Loan Association as an Assistant Vice President. He was the first black to become an Officer for the company. He paved the way for the many blacks to come in later years and served as a mentor as well. He became involved and committed to several organizations, and donated his time and efforts for many years. He served on Salvation Army Boys Council. He received many Awards and Certificates including the 1986-1987 Appreciation of Services as Advisory Council Chairman. He also served on the Mecklenburg County Tax & Equalization Review Board for many years. He was awarded several Appreciation Certificates presented by the Board of Mecklenburg County Commissioners.
Ben met Willie B. Alexander, the love of his life at West Charlotte High School. He was determined to marry her and did so on June 9th 1954. They would have been married for 54 years in June. This marriage produced two children, a son, Benjamin Ferguson, Jr. and daughter, Bendetta Ferguson-Ragin. He was blessed with one granddaughter, Davida Ferguson-Ragin, who was the joy of his life. He often had to promise her that he would not love any other grandchild as much as he loved her.
He also leave to mourn two brothers, Samuel L. Ferguson, Sr. of San Diego, CA and William Ferguson of Chicago, IL; seven nephews and four nieces.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Simpson-Gillespie United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the church. Burial will be in York Memorial Park.
Grier Funeral Service is entrusted to serve the family of Mr. Ferguson.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer on Mar. 18, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Ferguson

8 Entries

Wallace Aldrich

March 20, 2008

At Mutual S&L, Ben served as a mentor to almost everyone. As others have said, his smile and gentle disposition were things to be emulated. I was able to work with Ben for 20 years and enjoyed traveling with him on Sat and Sun doing home inspections. Ben also introduced me to leatherwork--sorry to say I have not perfected this art but I still have the tools. When you knew Ben, you also knew his family. Feel comforted to know that Ben touched so many lives and definitely did leave this world a better place because of his actions. God Bless all Ben's family members.

don mccollough

March 19, 2008

may god bless this family

Kay belk-dailey

March 19, 2008

To the Ferguson Family: I would like to express my deepest sympathy. When I first met Mr. Ferguson during a college break at his home, I knew it would be a special relationship. We always told Bendetta that her parents were "so cool." Mr. Ferguson opened his home to us as if we were his own and I will always be gratefull. Love Kay

Mamie Barnes

March 19, 2008

Our prayers are with the Family of Ben Ferguson although Ben would have us all to pray for ourselves because he has truly lived a GREAT life and has gone on to his heavenly home -- a place where we all hope to join him one day.

I first met Ben in the 60's when I went to work at Mutual Savings and Loans where he tried to teach me to remain positive and to have patience. However, after 9 years, I ran out of patience and moved on.

Ben always wore a smile and had a song in his heart for everyone to hear. He made employees happy to be in his company and he was treated with love and respect at all times. No job was too large or too small for Ben. No one was more loved and respected than Ben Ferguson.

Ben loved to entertain his friends and co-workers at his home. Many of us grew to love his family members as we visited his home. We know that Ben will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mamie Barnes and Family

Bob "Bob Knocks" McCollough

March 18, 2008

Mr. Ben will always be with me in the spirit of fond memories we shared, from his big hearted hospitality of mind bending puzzles, pratical jokes that defide some laws of physics, band pratice on the patio, badmitton tournaments, (before the pool), sledding and tubing down the hill in his big back yard, to the card and table games we all played; and the list will go on and on. The Ferguson Family home was so full of love just as the McCollough Family home. As I became an adult, Mr. Ben and I would hold lenthy and indepth worldly conversation over a glass of Courvoisier, simmering over the rocks. He always applauded my Mother and my Father and with his words of wisdom, he help made me a better man, as I grow older. He was, truly, a Gentleman and a Scholar who could share his wisdom with just a smile. Some of that wisdom will always be within me. My heart and prayers go out to Mrs. Ferguson, Ben Jr., Bendetta, Davida, and all of the Ferguson Family.

Thank You.

Tamara McCollough

March 18, 2008

Mr. Ferguson was just like family. As a child, I always looked forward to visiting him and listening to his stories and hearing him laugh. He was quite the character! My thoughts are with his family and everyone else who had the pleasure of knowing this colorful and loving man.

HOPE (BARNES/HAWKINS) GRAVES

March 18, 2008

BEN WAS A GREAT MAN I RECALL MY CHILDHOOD DAYS AND HOW ME AND MY SISTER SUSAN WOULD FOLLOW HIM AROUND MUTUAL... HE WOULD KEEP US BUSY SO MAMA COULD WORK. I MISS THOSE DAYS. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE WHOLE FAMILY! I LOVED BEN AND HE WILL BE MISSED!

Juanita McCollough-Keys

March 18, 2008

Words can not express the lost of yet another; another who always entertained, who always made things, who always showed us neat little objects when growing up as kids, and one who always had a joke and carried a cheerful smile. Mr. Ferguson, you will be greatly missed but not forgotten, for your time here with us has come to an end but I know without a doubt that you have "gone on in" to join your family and friends that have proceeded you; and to the family, Mrs. Ferguson, Ben Jr., Dett, and little Miss Davida; he'll always be with us in everything we do...that special "Guardian Angel," just looking out for you.

With Much Respect,
"Juan"

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results