Gloria Mattie Ferguson was the second child of the late Wilkins and Ann Thompson and was born on January 7, 1949, in Akron, Ohio. A lifelong resident of the Akron community, Gloria graduated from East High School in 1966. In 1967 she began her tenure with Ohio Bell (AT&T), working her way up to engineer and serving as union representative before retiring in 2002 with over 35 years of diligent service. It was Gloria’s dream to finish college, and she often stressed the importance of education to her children and everyone else around her. In 2001 Gloria earned her Associates Degree in Applied Science from the University of Akron, and went on to earn her Bachelors of Arts in Social Work (2005), and finally her Masters of Social Work (2010) from the University of Akron as well. She took pride in becoming a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers (Akron/Canton Chapter).

If you know anything about Gloria, you know she did not like to sit still. Not long after retiring, she found herself working with Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) and then serving in various positions with Portage County Department of Job and Family Services. Immediately following she became a Social Worker for Children and Family Services in Cuyahoga County. Most recently, Gloria worked for Urban Ounce of Prevention Behavioral Health Services as a Counselor.

Gloria was a devoted member of New Hope Baptist Church (Dr. David Nelson, Pastor), and was passionate about her church family, who loved her right back. While at New Hope, Gloria served on the Welcome Committee and would frequently attend Bible study. And, if the church was having an event, she wanted to attend and help serve.

An avid fan of the arts, particularly music, Gloria loved to dance and could move her feet and bob her head to just about anything. Gloria loved her line dancing. She was loved dearly by her family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them whenever she could (she routinely bragged about her “grandbaby”, Ella). She also enjoyed sports and loved cheering on her local teams, especially the Cleveland Browns and The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Gloria also enjoyed an active civic life and served on a variety of committees during her time as a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (Akron Chapter). She also enjoyed the sisterhood of the Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus, serving in various leadership roles during her time as a member. She was not afraid to share her opinions, especially around politics. As a member of the Federated Democratic Women of Summit County she was selected as their Woman of the Year in 2019, and received an Award of Excellence for serving as Chairwoman in 2018 & 2019.

Gloria made her journey home to be with the Lord on July 1, 2023. She was preceded in death by her Husband, Durwood William Ferguson; Parents, Wilkins Sr. & Ann Thompson; Mother-in Laws, Penny T. Ferguson & Ruby Bramlett; Father-in Laws Theodore Bramlett & William A. Ferguson; Brother, Wilkins Thompson Jr.; Brother-in-Laws, Frederick Bramlett & Malcom Ferguson, and Nephew, Kent Ferguson, Jr.. She is survived by her Son Dante J. Ferguson (Ashley) of Lewis Center, OH; Daughter, Renise S. Ferguson of Brooklyn, NY; Granddaughter, Ella E. Ferguson of Lewis Center, OH. She is also survived by Sisters, Patricia A. Thompson of Houston, TX; Jacqueline Thompson-Blowe of Northfield, OH; and Sister-in Law, Faye (Michael) Robinson of Akron, OH. Additional surviving family members include Brother-in -Laws, Kent (Dawn) Ferguson of Akron, OH; Eric (Ginger) Ferguson of Oxnard, California; and Finley Bramlett (Tamika) of Akron OH, along with a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and special friends.