Doris Mack Ferguson

Doris Vernon Mack Ferguson was born on September 9, 1927, in the Township of Chick Springs, Greenville, S.C. to the late Ernest and Estelle Mack. Her formal education consisted of having attended Greenville County grade school (Jubilee,Taylors,SC) and (Taylors Rosenwald High, Taylors,SC) she graduated from Sterling High School, Greenville, SC, 1945. Hobbies consisted of tennis and cosmetology; earned the required amount of hours in cosmetology to become a beautician and received an apprentice permit from South Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners in 1948.

As a young woman she married Heyward Bonaparte Ferguson, migrated to New York and settled in the Bronx. Born to Heyward and Doris were two children, Renee Laverne and Heyward Lincoln Ferguson. Doris’s husband, Heyward, died at the early age of 27.

Having to support two children she worked two jobs, Gimbel’s Department Store, NYC and she was also employed at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation Morrisania Hospital and the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center as a Nurse’s Aide. Later she was transferred to Jacobi Hospital where she pursued a two year nursing program at Hostos College affiliated with Bronx Community College, Bronx, NY. Doris was honored and received a plaque and Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of loyal support and dedicated service to Bronx Municipal Hospital Center in the interest of quality patient care in 1981; additionally she received recognition for 40 years of employment.

The tremendous love, respect and responsibilities Doris exhibited towards her family and extended family was uncanny, relentless and invigorating.

Due to declined health, Doris Ferguson retired in 1990; took courses in knitting, macramé, and crochet and excelled in those art forms.

Finally in 2010, Doris was hospitalized and being unable to care for herself was admitted to Schervier Nursing Care, Riverdale, NY where she expired Friday, April 27, 2012, at 12:10PM.

She was predeceased by five siblings, Claude, Lois, Alvin, Francena, Joe Louis; grandson Mark Ferguson and son-in-law Alex T. Johnson. She leaves behind daughter Renee La Verne Shields, New York, NY, son Heyward Lincoln Ferguson, Jersey City, NJ, grandson, Malcolm Bruce Ferguson of Opa Locka, Florida and daughter-in-law Gloria Ferguson, Opa Locka, Florida; two sisters, Mrs. Lee C. Williams (Bettye) of Laurelton, New York, Mrs. Henry Bolton (Bobbie) of Atlanta, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and cousins by the dozen.