Laura "Oggie Ball" A. Ferguson

Laura was born on June 14, 1957 to Robert Sr and Barbara Parker in Washington, DC. She was the youngest daughter, and third-born of the five Parker children. She spent her early years in their beloved childhood home on Grace Max Street in Rockville and attended St. Jude Catholic School before moving to Olney Mill and attending Magruder High School. She was a caretaker by nature and cared deeply for her siblings even from a young age, especially her brother, Bob.

She married her first husband, Kevin, in 1976 and they had three children together and opened a successful restaurant in The Plains, VA.

She moved back to Olney in 1987 and started working for Giant Food as a Deli Clerk. She worked in Olney, Colesville, Rockville, Leisure World, and Aspen Hill making a positive impression on everyone she worked with. She opened new stores, worked through renovations, helped build and rebuild teams, and improved processes.

It was at work in Colesville that she met her best friend and second husband, Charlie Ferguson in 1997. He instantly became a part of the family and they were married in 2005. They loved going to baseball games and the beach. They also had fun traveling to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Charlestown, and Ocean City for a casino game or two. And they loved their dogs - Chip and Reese were their long-time companions. After they passed, Fred and Ethel joined their pack and are a vibrant addition to the family.

But Laura’s truest love were her grandchildren, Mason and Trip. They were the light of her life and she lit up when she had the chance to talk about what they were up to. She was so proud to take each of them on a special trip for their 13th birthdays - a cruise to Hawai’i. She was excited to try new adventures during these trips like snorkeling, ziplining, and lei making.

Laura is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Sr and Barbara Parker, her sister Julia, and her daughter Barbara. She is survived by her husband Charlie, her in-laws Jack and Aileen Ferguson, daughter Amanda Whitener (Daniel Holloman), her son Kevin Whitener (Ellie Mullen), her siblings Carol Parker-Perez, Robert Parker Jr (Jacqueline), Tom Parker (Brenda), and grandchildren Mason Boyd and Kevin “Trip” Whitener III. She also leaves behind her large extended family of nieces, nephews and their children whom she loved dearly.

Whether you knew her as Laura, Laurie, Parker, Aunt Laurie, Oggie Ball, Nani, Mom, or friend, she will be deeply missed by so many. Her love for others was boundless and she was happiest when she could make others happy.

The family will host a celebration of life on June 15, 2024 in Olney. The family will share additional details as they are finalized. Please use the comments here to share a story, memory, or photo.