Louis Ferguson June 21,1949- March 19, 2021 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. [Psalm 116:15 NIV]

Louis Ferguson, son, husband, father, brother, friend, uncle, nephew, age 71 of Cincinnati, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on March 19, 2021, at Christ Hospital after a protracted illness. Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will depart.

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." [Job 1:21 NIV]

Louis and Louise were born June 21, 1949, to Herbert and Nettie Taylor Ferguson in Cincinnati, Ohio. The family resided in the west end, then the family moved to Cumminsville in 1957 due to a fire that destroyed their apartment. Louis attended public schools in Cincinnati: Jackson Elementary School, Douglas Elementary School, Camp Washington Elementary School, Heinold Junior High, and Courter Technical High School, where he majored in Chef Technology. As fraternal twins Louis and Louise shared birthdays and many memories together, Louis would often communicate what Louise needs to teachers and classmates during kindergarten. As the years passed, Louis became the family's comedian, telling funny jokes and keeping his sibling laughing even in frightening situations.

Louis's Story -Young Adult Years and Adult Years Louis graduated from Courter Technical High School in 1968, and King Ruffin's father provided a reference for him to work at Pepsi Cola Bottling Company. The United States Army drafted Louis, and he was sent to Ft. Dix, New Jersey, and then transferred to Germany in a Quartermasters unit. As the Vietnam War intensified, the US Army transferred Louis to Saigon, South Vietnam. Louis came home med-a vac in 1971, and he had trouble adjusting to civilian life; today known as a post-traumatic stress disorder. Louis returned to work at the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company; he worked there (forklift driver, machine operator, warehouse) until his retirement in 2014, a total of forty-five years.

Louis met Jennifer Williams in 1973; their relationship created two gifted children, Tamara Williams, and Louis Ferguson ll. They created a strong co-parenting relationship that installed a strong foundation of service and sharing that lives on in Louis II's children: Craig Marcus, Chantel Marie, and Corrie Mykol Allen.

In 1979 Louis met Brenda Pearson, and after a long engagement period, they got married on September 30, 1989. Louis and Brenda hosted family functions, including Christmas celebrations and Ferguson's First Sunday dinners. Louis and Brenda often attended the Pearson, Stafford, and Sims Family reunions in Ohio and Alabama.

Louis watched sports on television, including auto racing as well as he took pictures at family gatherings. He always had a camera or camcorders on his shoulder especially at high school and college graduations. Louis enjoyed listening to music and had an extensive LP collection including such names as Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind, Fire, Mary J. Blige, and renowned jazz artists Herbie Hancock, George Benson, and others.

Louis and Brenda celebrated 42 years together. When anyone asked how he and Brenda stayed together so long, his answer; "Yes, Dear." When Louis' sister Louise passed, he said to Brenda, "he was not far away."

Louis's Spiritual Practices The belief in the True and Living God permeates Louis' life; he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a child. Louis attended Cornerstone Baptist Church, Galilee Baptist Church, and New Pilgrim Baptist Church with his family. Louis was awarded the Cornelius Award by Tryed Stone Baptist Church because of his benevolence to his extended family. Louis renewed his commitment to Christ by reading the Daily Word morning devotion. He recently joined the Ferguson Family Prayer network weekly phone calls and celebrated Communion with the family members.

Scripture imitating Christ's Humility that Louis exemplified in his life,

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."          [Phil 2:1-4 NIV]

Louis's Spiritual Legacy Louis served as an example of showing mercy to others by sharing resources; he always made a way to open his home as a hub for family gatherings and to contribute material finance when young peoples' dreams needed a boost. Louis' children and grandchildren share his faith example and carry it forward. Louis II is a dedicated parent to three young adults, all successful high school graduates. Tamara has dedicated her life to service and youth development in career and personal venues. Louis' example of kindness to family and friends by sharing resources or giving in abundance spilled over to other family members. Chef Marvin Ferguson provided the desserts; when he worked, Mia, his wife, delivered them for Sunday dinners. At the urging of Shamikka and Davona, family members brought extra gifts to create "blessing bags" to share with people experiencing homelessness and anyone who needed encouragement.

Louis leaves a legacy of photos that creates an endearing memory of special celebrations and everyday events that document family members' transformation from childhood to adulthood over forty years.

Mr. Louis Ferguson is survived by: Wife; Brenda Pearson Ferguson; children: Tamara Renee Williams Van Horn [Boulder], Louis Ferguson [Xenia]; Grandchildren: Craig Marcus Allen, Chantel Marie Allen, Corrie Mykol Allen Siblings: Roberta Jeter, Cora E. Jeter, Edna F. Whitehead, and Nettie L. Ferguson [Columbus]. Rosalee Wats, niece, In-laws: Ernestine Riley Ferguson Johnson [Herbert], Anthony Turner [Louise], Jason Andrew Van Horn, Mrs. Vickie Johnson Pearson, Leveda Clay, Deborah Anderson (Donnie), Judy Williams [Sheldon], Duane Pearson, Anthony Pearson, Damon Pearson, Stacey Pearson, Constance Pearson-Williams, Tamika Jackson [Kelly], Monica Pearson, Carlos Pearson, a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and nephew and friends. Life-Long Best Friends [over 55 years]: Jerome "Jerry" Holmes [Christina], William "Tee" Washington Predeceased by parents: Herbert Ferguson, Nettie Taylor Ferguson, siblings: Henrietta Ferguson, Cecil Ferguson, Herbert J. Ferguson, Edward Ferguson, Louise Turner, nephews: Kevin Jeter, Ralph Whitehead, Randy Whitehead, Donte Whitehead, Stephon Jeter, Terry Frost; Father-in-Law: Casbie Pearson; Brother-in Laws Walter Jeter Jr. [Roberta], Judson Jeter [Cora], Ralph Whitehead [Edna]; Marcella Winbush Ferguson [Edward]

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Thursday, April 8, 2021, at the Walker Funeral Home - Walnut Hills Chapel, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 am. Everyone attending must wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Interment will follow at Walnut Hills Cemetery, 3117 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206.

In keeping with the Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions masks are required in order to enter the service and social distancing must be practiced.  Please be prepared to comply for the safety of all.

To share a memory of Louis or leave a special message for the Ferguson family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home is honored to serve the  Ferguson family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.