There are condolences waiting approval on JOYCE's Tribute wall
Celebrating the life of JOYCE FERGUSON
Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
JOYCE.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for JOYCE FERGUSON
Mrs. Ferguson was born in Detroit, Michigan to parents Frances Taylor Bell and Jack Bell on August 22, 1953. She leaves one son, Maurice Ferguson and sister, Judith Bell Johnson, both of whom were dearly loved. She also leaves behind numerous relatives in New York, St. Petersburg, Florida and elsewhere. She found comfort in caring for and petting her cat “Puff”. Joyce attended public schools in Detroit and West Palm Beach, Florida and graduated from a private high school, Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina. For a time she also attended Amityville High School, in New York, the same high school from which her mother graduated. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Art from Morgan State University. She also took graduate courses in Urban Planning at Catholic University before starting her career. She was always an industrious person and there were times she worked as many as three part-time jobs at once during high school and college. Some of her jobs included computer key punch operator, exercise instructor, film booth attendant, and store clerk. While in high school and college she played trumpet in band but preferred to participate as a majorette, sometimes twirling two fire batons and leading the marching band as head majorette. Joyce was employed with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) as a Geographic Information Systems Specialist. She worked with MNCPPC for about 30 years, a job she enjoyed very much. She was an avid learner always seeking to improve her skills. Joyce was kind to all. She enjoyed her job and cared about her coworkers. She felt that she used her art skills in her work with maps, including the most pleasing colors. Even though she had not used her art skills recently outside her job, previously she had art pieces that sold in art displays. Joyce loved serving Jehovah God. She was baptized in 1984 and served faithfully as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the past 30 years. She often talked to coworkers, friends and strangers about the Bible, and the hope and guidance it provides. She enjoyed letting people know about the local congregations in their area. One of the highlights of her vacations was to stop into one of the local Kingdom Halls and meet people in the local congregation. Joyce enjoyed travel. Along with her sister she travelled to 47 of 50 states with plans to complete the list with the last three (Alaska, Hawaii and Kansas) states. She also enjoyed trips to Italy, France, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Barbados, and Bahamas. A favorite way of travel was by camper. This included several long trips, including from Maryland to Edmonton, Alberta Canada. She returned via the Icefields Parkway, and stopped to climb a small part of the Athabasca Glacier. Another cross-country trip was from Maryland to San Jose, California. Also she liked to travel to her favorite beaches on Anna Maria Island and Sarasota on the Florida Gulf coast. Joyce struggled with a few illnesses but was not the complaining type. She persevered if at all possible. She sincerely looked forward to the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises through Jesus Christ in the Bible.