Warren Neely Ferguson "Mike"

After a recent diagnosis and struggle with brain cancer, Mike passed away on June 8, 2013 into the arms of his loving Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born April 10, 1928 to Warren and Frances Blankenship Ferguson. He was raised in the Pineville/Charlotte area, the son of a hardworking and honest sharecropper. Mike went to Pineville High School where he was a player on the State Champion basketball team, as well as a very talented baseball player. He graduated in 1945 and enrolled at Western Carolina University where he was a member of the basketball team. After a semester he decided to leave college and join the U.S. Navy. He served from 1946 to 1948 on an oil tanker in the Pacific. After completing his service to our country, he returned to Charlotte and on November 8, 1952, married the love of his life, Mildred (Mick) Shumpert. Mike served as a supervisor at Springs Cotton Mill in Ft. Mill, SC; as service manager for Patton Volkswagon in Rock Hill, SC; as a supervisor at Marshall Air Systems before retiring from Digital Equipment Corporation as site Manager in 1984.

Mike was a godly man who shared the love of Christ, and was a true friend to everyone he knew. He served faithfully as a Deacon at Flint Hill Baptist Church, McKee Road Baptist Church, and most recently at Covenant Baptist Church, his church home for more than three decades. Mike had such a heart for evangelism and spent his life ministering to others by serving "hands on", helping those in need financially, and mentoring many men. It was his calling and joy to support and serve in mission efforts locally, in the United States, and around the world.

Preceding Mike in death, were his parents; his brother, Brown M. Ferguson; and his beloved wife, Mick. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Louise Ferguson; nieces and nephews: Danny Ferguson (Patricia), Eleanor F. Conley (Ron), Libby F. Miller (Kurt), Susan F. Huskins (Roger), Barbara Ferguson, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlie O. Starnes, Jr. (Grace), and Woody Vick (Cynthia); 15 grand nieces and nephews, and 10 great grand nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his friend and caregiver, Nancy Lindsay.

A memorial service to honor Mike will be held on Friday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. at Covenant Baptist Church, 11724 Elm Lane, Charlotte, 28277. Visitation will be at the church prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow the service at Flint Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Ft. Mill, SC. Gifts in Mike’s memory may be made to Bethel Christian Camp, 750 Boy Scout Road, Gaston, SC 29053 or to the Harris Hospice Unit, Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, NC. Special thanks for the kind help given to Mike by his recent nighttime caregiver, Janice Patton.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.