Eugene A. Ferguson

Eugene Alfredo Ferguson was born in South Miami, Florida on November 22, 1928 to Danville
Ferguson and Laura Walkine (Watkins) Ferguson of Crooked Island, Bahamas. He was the third
oldest of six: Alma, Laura, Theodore (Ted), Tex Thomas (Tex), and Bonita. Raised in South
Miami by his strong and loving extended Bahamian family, he learned the value of education
and hard work at an early age. As a boy he would tinker with his father’s tools to create
skateboards and other toys for himself and his siblings. He attended Carver High School in
Coconut Grove, Florida until his father decided that Eugene would have greater opportunities in
the North. Therefore, at age 17, Eugene was sent to Detroit, Michigan to live with his maternal
uncle, Alfred. Over time, he was joined in Detroit by his siblings Alma, Ted, and Bonita (all
deceased), but he never lost touch with his parents, siblings, and cousins in Miami and the
Bahamas.

Eugene attended and graduated from Northwestern High School in Detroit. He enlisted in the
U.S. Air Force in January 1947. He was stationed in Japan as well in the U.S. While in the
service, Eugene was a member of the Air Force football team, for which he received recognition
in the local military newspaper for his athleticism. Eugene was honorably discharged in
December 1949. He returned to Detroit where he continued developing his carpentry skills.
Eugene earned the title of Master Carpenter and did extensive work in the private and public
sectors. He was especially proud of his ability to use his draftsman and carpentry skills to design
and build projects for family and friends. Over the years, Eugene would utilize his skills to build
a career with the State of Michigan. Despite the racial injustices of the time, Eugene was able to
climb the corporate ladder and ultimately retired as Section Chief for the Department of Labor,
Michigan Employment Security Commission in January 1991.

Eugene was blessed to have found “the love of his life” twice! First with his wife Edith (Wilson)
Ferguson (deceased) then again with his wife Carole (Hines) Ferguson (deceased). His spiritual
journey and active church life, which started in South Miami, continued in Detroit -- first with
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church and then with Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.

Eugene helped to support his extended family, including helping to raise and mentor the children
of his siblings, in-laws, and cousins. He also regularly passed on wisdom to as many young
people as he could. After retiring, Eugene continued to help local carpenters on renovation
projects as he was never afraid to lend a helping hand. Eugene leaves behind a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins, and friends, across the U.S. and the Bahamas, who will miss him greatly.
Eugene Ferguson was a man filled with love, pride, perseverance, and knowledge; for these traits
he will always be loved and remembered by all.