Dorothy C. Sweatt Ferguson

dorothy ferguson

June 16, 1937 ~ April 18, 2024

Born in: Suffolk, VA
Resided in: Hamden, CT

Dorothy C. Sweatt Ferguson, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister-in-law, peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024, surrounded by her loving children.

Dorothy was born on June 16, 1937 in Suffolk, Virginia (Nansemond County) to the late George Edward Sweatt, Sr. and Bertie Mae Hunter Sweatt.

Dorothy attended public schools in Suffolk, Virginia and graduated from East Suffolk High School in 1956. Dorothy moved to New Haven, Connecticut in 1959, where she met the love of her life, Charles J. Ferguson, Sr. Dorothy and Charles married on March 19, 1960. From that union came six beautiful children; Reginald, Angela, Patricia, Charlene, Charles Jr., and Willona.

In 1964, Dorothy and her sister Gertrude dedicated their lives and were baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She has been a faithful servant of Jehovah ever since and enjoyed sharing the Bible truths with others. Dorothy loved to cook and have Sunday dinners with her family. She was well-known for her fried chicken and potato salad. Dorothy enjoyed listening to music such as James Brown, Teddy Pendergrass, and Patti LaBelle. She also enjoyed singing and swing dancing. Dorothy and her sister Gertrude formed a singing group as teenagers in high school with friends and were known as The Sweatt and Wiggins Sisters Singers. Dorothy loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would help care for them and do many activities with them. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends from the Kingdom Hall, having lunch dates and taking walks. Dorothy loved basketball and baseball, especially the Mets and UConn Men’s and Women’s basketball teams.

Dorothy started a private home daycare in the 1970s then gained employment with the City of New Haven as a Cafeteria Service Worker in October of 1979, retiring in June of 2003.

Dorothy leaves to mourn her children, Reginald Ferguson (Voleta) of New Haven, Angela Ferguson Gore of Hamden, Patricia Ferguson Duarte of East Haven, Charlene Ferguson Preston of Hamden, Charles J. Ferguson, Jr. (Beverly) of Fuquay-Varina, NC, and Willona Ferguson of New Haven, 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one sister, Gertrude Sweatt Grayson of Hamden, sisters-in-law Cora Ferguson (Frank), Janice Turner, and Barbara Ann Bates (Nilon), all of Fredericksburg, VA, and Emily Ferguson of New Haven, along with a host of loving nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

Dorothy was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Charles J. Ferguson, Sr., sisters, Lottie Mae Sweatt White and Margaret Sweatt Formey, one brother, George Edward Sweatt, Jr., one son-in-law, Philip Preston, sisters-in-law Ellen Jean Sweatt, Harriet Ferguson, Sharon Ferguson, Juliet Owens, Lorraine Anderson, Alma Thorpe, and Brenda Jeter, brothers-in-law Thessalonia White, Ralph Formey, Nathaniel (Ike) Grayson, Sr., James “Fergie” Ferguson, William Ferguson, Welford Ferguson, Leon Ferguson, Edward Ferguson, Lewis Dennis Ferguson, and Carl Ferguson, stepmother Vivian Sweat, and her favorite grandson Moet Bacote, whom she affectionately adored.

Friends are invited to visit with Dorothy’s family from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday, April 26th at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 885 Wintergreen Avenue, Hamden. Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial in Beaverdale Memorial Park. To view a live stream of the service via Zoom, please use Meeting ID 472765437 and passcode 007940.

Services

Visitation: April 26, 2024 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
885 Wintergreen Avenue
Hamden, CT 06514


Funeral Service: April 26, 2024 11:00 am

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
885 Wintergreen Avenue
Hamden, CT 06514


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Guestbook

  1. Mrs. Ferguson always had a sweet spirit and a kind smile whenever I saw her. She was the matriarch of a wonderful family and she will be missed. Sincerely

  2. My dearest condolences Willona and to the rest of the family. Momma Ferguson will truly be missed. She had such a beautiful spirit 🙏🏽🕊

  3. My deepest Condolences Pat & family this comes with a big CUP OF LUV Rest In Peace Ms.Dorothy,U will be missed by all .🌹🙏🏿

  4. To my bestie Jennifer and her mom and all her family,I’m so sorry for your loss I pray God will keep you in his loving arms and ease your pain in time❤️

  5. Family- I am so sorry for the loss of your mom, she and sister Grayson were two of my favorite witnesses growing up, always so kind and loving and supportive to me when I lost my parents. Through her faithfulness we know the hope she has and with that let it be a comfort to you at this difficult time.

  6. To Ferguson family
    I am so sorry for your lost which is our lost as well. She will always be remembered as a sweet faithful sister to me. She has gone to REST for now. Because of her faith and works, her name is in Jehovah’s book of remembrance. She will be rewarded with life again in the promised resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous.(Acts 24:14) Until then, she will be missed. I pray for Jehovah to comfort you all at your time of sorrow. Rest on my sister. See you on the other side of this world, the new world.
    Betty Gillard

    • Sending my heartfelt sympathy and support during this exceptionally difficult time.
      As a family friend of Charles and Bev Ferguson, I look forward to the day John 5:28,29 enables a beautiful reunion right here on earth with conditions promised at Psalm 37:29 and Revelation 21:4.
      Sending my love to all the family and dear friends.
      Joy Amin

  7. Dear Ferguson/Sweatt Families ,
    Our hearts are breaking for you all and we can only imagine how difficult this must be for you all to lose both of your dear parents so close together. We had the pleasure of meeting your sweet Mother last year when she came to visit Charles and Bev. We pray that the God of all comfort wraps his arms around your family and give you strength, calm hearts and a measure of peace during such a difficult time. Please accept our deepest condolences.

    Jonathan and Tiffany McLean
    Fuquay Varina NC

  8. Our deepest sympathy are with your family.
    .We pray that Gods love heal your sorrow
    and may his peace replace your heartache with beautiful loving memories.

    La Shawn Johnson & Family.

  9. My family and I were sadden to hear about the passing of Dorothy. We called her Aunt Dorothy. Just a friendly and lovable person. Nothing ever prepares us for this moment. With Jehovah’s help the family will get through. May the God of comfort, comfort the children as they navigate this road called life. Much love to family

  10. I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to all members of the Ferguson family at this time. May Jehovah support and comfort you with his love during this difficult time.

    Ceci Preston


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