Roberta Suggs Ferguson

Roberta Suggs Ferguson of 103 Florence Street, Abbeville, SC passed away on August 11, 2012 at The Cottages of Brushy Creek long term care facility in Greer, SC. Mrs. Ferguson was predeceased in 1999 by her husband of 46 years, Lester Ferguson.

Born in Horry County, SC on February 22, 1929 in to the late Thomas Tilton Suggs and Theodocia Elizabeth Hodge Suggs, Mrs. Ferguson was raised in the Loris community of Horry County, SC. She was the last surviving member of her nine sibling family, Alma, Eunice, Nettie, James, Audie, Charlie, Donnie and Kirby.

Visitation will be held at The First Baptist Church of Abbeville social hall on Tuesday August 14, 2012 at 1:00pm until 1:45pm followed by services in the church sanctuary at 2:00pm. The service will be officiated by Dr. John Keith and Rev. Wayne Wiggins. Burial will follow in Little Mountain Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

A graduate of Erskine College, she was married to Lester Willie Ferguson of Due West in 1952 and made Abbeville her home for most of her years. She was retired from the Abbeville County School District. She was an elementary level educator and taught several grades through her 30 year career. She had the pleasure of teaching kindergarteners who were children of former students. She was a member and former officer of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Mrs. Ferguson was an active member of the Abbeville Community for a many years. She and her family were active members of the First Baptist Church of Abbeville. Mrs. Ferguson was a member of the Adult II and the Bible Study Sunday School Classes. Roberta led several church committees including renovation of the social hall and she sang in the adult choir for many years.

Roberta was a member of several civic organizations including The Garden Club and the Entre Nous Book Club and was instrumental in the formation of the Heritage House. Roberta loved gardening and was a winner of many ribbons and awards in gardening competitions. She contributed flowers yearly to the Abbeville Spring Festival.
Roberta was always thoughtful of others and gave much time to the betterment of the community. Roberta volunteered time to Meals on Wheels and to work at the Abbeville Hospital.

Mrs. Ferguson is survived by her daughter Leslie Ferguson Bumgardner and her husband Charles of Lexington, SC; their children Keller Ann Bumgardner, a teacher in Memphis TN and a son John Sherrod Bumgardner, a sales representative for Grainger Supply in Lexington, SC. Mrs. Ferguson is also survived by a son Thomas Lester Ferguson and his wife Michele of Greer, SC; their children Elizabeth Marie Ferguson, a sophomore at Clemson University and Matthew Thomas Ferguson a junior at Greenville Tech Charter High School.

The family wishes to recognize the staff of The Cottages long term care facility in Greer. The companions and medical staff of Rose Cottage provided excellent and compassionate care during Roberta's last two years.

The family also wishes to thank our friends and church family in Abbeville and elsewhere who supported Roberta through hundreds of cards, letters, well wishes and prayers.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to invite donations to the First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund or the church building fund PO Box 825 Abbeville, SC 29620.

Visitation

Abbeville First Baptist Church
307 N Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
1:00 - 1:45 PM

Service

Abbeville First Baptist Church
307 N Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
2:00 PM

Interment

Little Mountain Presbyterian Church Cemetery
3836 Hwy 28 N
Abbeville ,  SC  29620