Stephany Alexandra Ferguson

Stephany attended Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), where she began her journey as an impassioned educator and also met her future husband, Dennis “Carl” Ferguson, whom she lovingly called “Den.” After graduating, she began her career teaching middle school students in New York City, where she worked for more than 30 years. Many former students still call her “my favorite teacher” because of her blend of nurturing and no nonsense. She brought that energy into every space she walked into, and she forged bonds with students and fellow teachers alike that spanned decades.

Stephany was a proud, powerful alto who always had a home in a choir or two. She loved to harmonize and could always pick out her part and hold her own even in a sea of overzealous sopranos. She taught her children how to find their parts in any song—and stick with them.

She loved words: poetry and prose—black history, sci-fi, mysteries. And she taught many children how to love words too—how to love them the right way, how to speak and shake them out with fearlessness or sass such that the congregation or audience might clap or tap a little louder than expected when the church or school curtains pulled away. Certainly, you would not—could not—nod off when her kids took the stage.

She loved to teach. But when she heard her first grandchild was on the way, she retired with no hesitation to help take care of her “Sweetie Pie.” She did not want to be called “Grandma” or “Grandmother”—that sounded too old—so she named herself Geema. She loved being Geema. When her second grandchild was on the way, she took baby-naming quite seriously, sending lists and ideas until she landed on the perfect one: Justice.

Her educator hat never came off—she just added other fabulous hats to the mix. She enjoyed gardening, playing board games with friends and family, traveling, and having her ladies nights (and days) with her besties from church, Hampton, and her teaching days. Stephany was also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. For more than thirty years, she was a member of Jackson Memorial AME Zion Church in Hempstead, New York, where she tirelessly served the church community she loved.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The INN, an organization

serving those challenged by hunger, homelessness, and poverty, and whose mission Dennis “Carl”

held so dear. You may contribute online at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/carlferguson or mail a

check directly to:

The INN

211 Fulton Ave.

Hempstead, NY 11550

In the memo section, please include “In Memory of Carl & Stephany Ferguson.”