Mother Gerline Ferguson

FERGUSON, Mother Gerline - Age 83, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at her residence. Family hour 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Foss Avenue Baptist Church, 1159 E. Foss Ave., with funeral service commencing at 12:00 PM. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Mother Ferguson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Monday, with family present from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM to receive friends. Mother Gerline Ferguson was born December 12, 1941 in Deer Lake (Jonesboro), Arkansas, the daughter of Cora Lee and Robert Umphryes. Gerline graduated from Central High School in Grand Rapids, MI and Jordan College in Flint, Michigan. She married Cleophas Ferguson Sr. and was a member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. J.S. Hopkins, Pastor and later moved her membership to Foss Avenue Baptist Church where Dr. Brian Frelix Sr. is the Pastor. Mother Ferguson actively served on the Mother’s Board, Sunday School, Choir and the Nursing Home Ministries. She was retired and loved to sing in the Choir, watch Western Cowboy movies and working on the Mother’s Board. Mother Gerline Ferguson leaves to cherish her memory: children, Ray (Lucy) Umphryes of Whitehall, AR, Wayne Townsend of Murfreesboro, TN, Damita Richard, Yolanda Randolph, Tracy Umphryes, Gerline Ferguson (Bird), De’Anglo Ferguson, Antoine (Déjá) Ferguson, all of Flint, Cleodis (Tyresha) Ferguson of Clarksville, TN, Prescious Richards of North Carolina, Reginald Ferguson, Stevie (Donnie) Ferguson, Kenneth (Latrell) Ferguson, Stanley (Kathy) Ferguson, Cleophas Ferguson Jr., all of Atlanta, GA; sister, Juanita Forrest of Grand Rapids, MI; a host of grandchildren including special grandchildren, Larry Umphryes, Trinna Brown, Juanita Richard and Roshanda Townsend; a host of great-grandchildren including special great-grandchildren, Sir’Khingston Richard and Dream Ferguson; and host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins; god-daughters, Brittney Adams, Dr. Darcele (Cole) Robinson, Vanessa Thornton and Tasha Thorton; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Cedric Freeman and Darlene Tolbert. Mother Ferguson was preceded in death by her husband, Clephas Ferguson Sr.; son, Joe Townsend; daughter, Terri Umphryes; grandson, Darryl Richard Jr.; parents, Cora Lee and Robert Umphryes Sr.; brother, Robert Umphryes Jr.; and sister, Jessie Umphryes; daughter-in-law, Ruby “Cookie” Ferguson; son-in-daughter, Darryl Shayne Richard Sr. The family would like to express special thanks to McLaren Hospice nurse, Michelle Boehm, Dr. Brian Frelix Sr., Pastor and Foss Avenue Baptist Church.

Mother Gerline Ferguson

December 12, 1941 - June 11, 2025