Loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother Venell “Mama” Ferguson passed away peacefully on August 31, 2023. She was 89 years young. She was predeceased by her husband Nelson Cleo Ferguson and her youngest daughter Venessa (Noonie) Campbell. Venell was born on April 10, 1934 in Eutaw, Alabama. After leaving Alabama as a teenager and moving to New York, she caught the eye of and married the super handsome sailor, Nelson Ferguson on December 29, 1953. Together Mama and Dada went on to have three beautiful children: Carolyn, Warren, and Venessa.
Mama was the nucleus of the Ferguson clan. She had a beauty, style and grace that was unparalleled. Her nails being the topic of every conversation, everyplace she stepped foot into!
She was fiercely independent and always spoke her mind. She worked hard and loved harder. Her family was her world. And, she was theirs. And, boy could she cook. It was her love language. Her culinary prowess was known far and wide, once owning and running a restaurant 'The Spot’ in Norwich, CT in a time when black people had nothing. Her name was synonymous with good food.
Sundays at Mama’s house were everything. Her family would anticipate Sunday dinners and leave with to-go containers to enjoy until the next time they gathered. It really did not matter what day of the week it was, Mama was always cooking and you could count on getting a good meal. Mama always said someone else would have to learn how to cook to feed the clan and of all of her grandchildren have stepped up to the plate, with some pretty big shoes to fill! Her grandchildren have taken up the mantle to continue cooking up good food to feed the family. They only hope they are making her proud. ‘
Mama was not only the matriarch of our family, she was our queen. Spending Sunday’s at her house, it was always full, everyone was there and the kids running around the house and the neighborhood. We didn’t realize at the time what she was instilling in us. She was building our foundation. And teaching us, through those Sunday dinners, not only the importance of family but also the importance of always sticking together. We would spend all of our time at Mama’s house. She taught us how to be a family, and how to carry ourselves as women. She also taught us how to cook, instilling her southern roots. Later on, in her life, we learned a lot about her and life wasn’t always easy for her. We also learned how strong she really was. No matter what she went through, she never let it get her down. She fought harder and did so with such grace up until her very last day on this earth. From her we inherited strength, class, and respect. Her grandbabies went from children in her kitchen to great women and men and great mothers and fathers. It is who she was and her southern roots that we have to thank for that. Mama we thank you for what you have been in our lives, we wouldn’t be who we are today.
Mama's favorite saying was, she and Dada only had three children and from them came all of us! Mama leaves behind her gang!
Her beloved, beautiful, and strong daughter Carolyn Ferguson Lee who she argued with and loved more than life! Her handsome and adored son Warren Ferguson Sr. And her reason for breathing for 89 short years, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Levinia Lee Mebane (Peachy Poon) Michael, Ramses, Erica, Nelson, Josiah, Rahzahn, and RJ. Carolyn Lee Kudelchuk (Tee-wee, Ol’ lady and Ol’ Lady Teedi-weedi), Danny (Mama’s boo thang) Justice, Raven, Gage,
Madelyn and (thedog) Jax (Trit-Trot). Venell Latia Campbell (Tia Ria) Malik (Maurice), Jadaye, and Alysia (Lisa). Mark Campbell Jr. (Mama’s Moochy Man), Venessa (Nessa), Diamond, Damani (Mani, Marty), Jaden, Kyzarae, Za’Kyrah. Isaiah Lee (Zay), Melissa (Marissa), Lyric, Mckenzie, Nyasia, Kyasia, and Nasir. Gregg Lee (he ain’t never having babies). Dimitria Ferguson (Meech), Yoel Ferguson and Warren Ferguson Jr. (June bug) Keshaun, Zorah, Millie, Makiya, Jayla, Arylin, Warren the 3rd , Sevyn, Kamyri, Honesty.
Mama and Dada gave us all our nicknames and called us by nothing else! If she ever got a name correct or called us by our names, her grandbabies knew something was wrong!
She was also loved and adored like a mother by her children in law; Mark Campbell Sr. (Hoodlum). Elva Ferguson-Armour, Carmen Ferguson and Gregory Lee and her very best friend Edith Wells.
In addition, she leaves a host of loving sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, friends and admirers. Her church family at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in Groton, several unofficially adopted children and grandchildren who knew her as Mom and Mama, as well as many others who may not have known her personally but grew to love her through our stories.
Mama, we love you, a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck.
Services will be held September 12, 2023 at Church & Allen in Norwich, CT. Calling hours are from 9-10:30 a.m. The service begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Maplewood Cemetery.
Repast to immediately follow at: The Holiday Inn, 10 Laura Blvd., Norwich, CT 06360 from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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