Gloria Ferguson

Gloria Ferguson was born April 18, 1943, to Anderson (Bubble) and Irene Ferguson, the oldest of two children. Gloria was raised on the west side of Chicago alongside a huge and close-knit family consisting of double and triple kin family members. Being the oldest sibling, Gloria took the role of being the big sister seriously by looking after her younger brother Maurice. This led her to being a loving and trustworthy Babysitter for family members and the neighborhood families.

Gloria attended Spalding School where she excelled in Occupational Education and Art. During her off time from school Gloria would spend hours creating art pieces for her family and friends to admire and enjoy. 

At a very young age, her Grandmother Pensacola Burrage introduced her to the teachings of the Lord, serving God, the Gospel and the importance of helping others. Gloria was one of the youngest original members of The Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church (formerly BlackWater MBC) under the leadership of Reverend Leslie Burrage (Grandfather) She served as a dedicated Usher to her church. With a huge smile, hug and a warm handshake dressed in her all-white uniform Gloria would welcome members and non-members into the house of the Lord to worship and fellowship together. After the passing of Reverend Leslie Burrage, Gloria continued to serve under the leadership of Reverend Eugene Burrage for decades at The Original Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church.

In 2002 Gloria had a health crisis which required her to start dialysis. Her mother and our matriarch Irene walked EVERY step of the struggle with Gloria until she went home to rest in (20??). In this transition, Gloria re-centered her life with Patricia Wms. Hurdle (Tida) at her mother Irene’s request. She affectionately referred to her as Grandma Tida and the house full of younger cousins, whom all she had raised became her babies. She would continue her fight for life at the Loyola Dialysis Center. Gloria was called the “Life of the Party” because even though she was there to get treatment herself, she would always speak encouragement to others or provide a joke and or laughter to brighten everyone's day. The staff and other patients grew to love Gloria and came to be family with her as well. 

Later on, with her mobility declining, Gloria entered a Rehabilitation Center. With the help of her cousin Patricia, Family and staff Gloria kept striving to rehabilitate herself to get back to being mobile on her own. After being on dialysis for 23 years Glorias health started to decline.

On September 5th, 2025, Gloria was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 82. She was preceded in death by her Mother Irene, Father Anderson and Brother Maurice. Gloria is survived by her cousin Patricia (aka Grandma Pat as Gloria called her) (Harry), her cousin Edith and the Matriarch of the family Dora Huey. Gloria also leaves behind Harry (Woo), Anthony, Roxanne, Orron and Lavaughn (who preceded her in death) whom she had called her baby’s all their lives. Along with a host of Cousins, Family members and Friends including the Broadview Wesleyan Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gloria Ferguson, please visit our floral store.