This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Rodney Ferguson, 60, born in December 1960 and passed away in April 2021. We will love him forever.

Rodney Albert Ferguson was born on December 15, 1960 in Washington, DC to the late Roger Walton and Alberta Lawson Ferguson.  He was the youngest of three children produced by that union.  He grew up in Northeast Washington in the African American Carver-Langston neighborhood then moved to Michigan Park in 1966, where he met and made his life-long friends.

As a young boy, Rodney joined Nineteenth Street Baptist Church and was baptized there by Rev. Jerry A. Moore, Jr.  Even though he moved away from the DC area, he is very fondly remembered by his church school classmates and other church members.

In 1977, he graduated from St. Anthony’s Catholic School.  He attended Cornell University and UDC (University of the District of Columbia).  Rodney then decided to head for the west coast, attending and graduating in 1986 from University of California, Berkley with a degree in Philosophy which remained a life-long passion. While attending UC Berkeley Rodney also became active in the Berkeley Student Cooperative serving in 1984 as president.

Rodney chose a career in education. He had a passion for helping adults achieve literacy, which he evidenced through a 20-year career as a staff member and manager at LEAP (Literacy for Every Adult Project), and helping teens and young adults receive their GED, culminating in his founding of SUCCESS GED, a web site and blog dedicated to GED tutoring.

Rodney’s philosophical approach was eclectic, but fundamentally centered on peace, harmony and happiness.  He captured his views in two books - Being and Happiness and Blessings Beyond Borders – which sought to bring joy, tranquility and insight to those who read them.

While being a creative thinker, above all, Rodney will be remembered for his humor, laughter and ability to lift the spirits of all those whose lives he touched.

He married the love of his life, Nancy Thomas in 2004.  Although there were no children from this union, Rodney loved Nancy’s children as his and own and particularly loved being a granddad.

Rodney’s life will continue to be celebrated by his wife Nancy and children, Irene Reeves (Cedric), Michael Thomas (Marshauna), Olivia Thomas, Aaron Thomas and grandchildren Donovan Atanacio and Leilani Reeves.  He also leaves to cherish his memory his sister Rachelle Washington (William), brother Roger Ferguson, Jr. (Annette), nephews Richard Washington and Roger Ferguson, III, nieces Renee Williams (Alex) and Caroline Ferguson, aunts Angella Ferguson and Carole Howard, five great nephews and a host of cousins and friends.