Norma Jean Ferguson

Norma Jean Clayton Ferguson was born on June 11, 1939 in Columbus, OH to James and Eloise V. Clayton. She was raised on the South Side of Columbus and enjoyed her childhood spending time with her family; gathering with childhood friends at the South Side Settlement House and attended South High School. Norma was married to the love of her life, the late Wade Ferguson, in 1964. To that union were born James and Jermaine. Blessed with 82 years of life, our beloved Norma answered the Lords call to glory surrounded by her family on the evening of Monday, September 6th 2021. She was preceded in death by parents: James and Eloise V. Clayton; husband: Wade Ferguson; brothers: Kenneth, Ronald (Ronnie) and Charles (Pete); and son: James. Her early work career included numerous years at Western Electric where she met several life-long friends. She ultimately retired from The Ohio State University with over 30 years of service as a Clerical Specialist. She loved the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at an early age where she attended Hosack Street Baptist Church. She and her husband Wade were charter members of Reeb-Hosack Community Baptist Church where she served in the Nurse Ministry; the Naomi Missionary Society; Participating in the Annual “Old Fashion Day”; and was a Sunbeam Choir Asst. Director. She later became a charter member of Resurrection Missionary Baptist Church where she thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Community Outreach Program feeding and clothing the less fortunate. In addition to her participation in church activities, Norma was active in her community and was a former-president of the Innis Garden Civic Association where she was committed to helping keep her southside neighborhood “safe, clean and not forgotten”; She was a part of the “Blessed Ladies of the South Side” annual gathering which she loved to help organize with her dear long- time friend, Norma Jean Allen. Norma was a kind, considerate and compassionate person. She was not only concerned about her family, but her friends and her neighbors. She was a resilient and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was “Team mom” for many of her son’s sports teams; PTA president several years at Smith Rd. Elementary; the “neighborhood mom” to many and affectionately called “Momma Ferguson”. She cherished her relationship with her baby sister Charlotte with who she shares a lifetime of loving memories. That love was carried to a whole host of nieces and nephews that all had very unique and special bonds with her. Gram as she was affectionately called, enjoyed watching basketball games with her grandsons especially “her” LeBron James, no matter what team he played on! She truly enjoyed her entire family and the gatherings, no matter who hosted, she ran the show with love in everyone’s kitchen. Birthdays, Christmas, Graduations, you name it she enjoyed displaying her love through her delicious meals and desserts like her infamous: Macaroni and cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken and Noodles & Dumplings, Homemade potpies, Pasta salad, Lasagna, her infamous “scrambled eggs”, Banana split cake, her irresistible lemon pound cake, 3-layer yellow cake with chocolate icing (Jermaine’s favorite), apple or peach cobbler and her homemade Christmas cookies that were endless in supply! She loved “digging in the dirt” and planting flowers in her yard. “… I love watching the growth of life”. She enjoyed evenings on the patio marveling over the flowers and pond, that her son James and granddaughter Asiah built just for her. She passed that passion on to her dear nieces and often times assisted them in their own yards as well. Anytime she wasn’t able, they enjoyed ensuring that her flowers were planted and flourishing throughout her beautiful yard. Her family was her greatest joy, most dearly loving her grands and great-grands. Her heart was filled with joy when they excelled or accomplished an outstanding achievement and she felt their pain when anyone was undergoing an illness or going through a storm. She was always right there. She leaves behind her loving and devoted family who celebrate her legacy: son: Jermaine (Stephanie); Granddaughters: Asiah and Essence; Grandsons: James, Wade, Jarell and great-grandsons: Nazier and Zymier (“her Buddah bear”); step-daughters: Karen, Tammy, Bridget (Johnny); step-son: Bryan; sister: Charlotte Lawson; nieces: Rhonda Clayton, Sonya (Frederick) Thompson; Carla (Wiley III) Bates, Cynthia Clayton, Rhonecca Clayton; nephews: Ronald Clayton, Chad Lawson; great nieces: Renatta, Breanna; great nephews: Bradley, Christian; great-great niece: Sattyn”Doll”; adoring cousins and many long-time dear friends.