William Byrd High School Alumni
Vinton, Virginia (VA)
In Memory of
Maurice (sparky) Lee Ferguson
1947-2026
Born Mar 01, 1947, Maurice (sparky) Lee Ferguson attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA.
Class of 1965
Mar 01, 1947 - May 08, 2026
Mar 01, 1947 - May 08, 2026
Maurice "Sparky" Ferguson passed away on Friday, May 8th, 2026. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vivian H. Wilson, his father, Jake Ferguson, and his brother, Jeffory Ferguson.
Born in Roanoke Virginia, Sparky attended William Byrd High School and served in the Army. He graduated from Roanoke College with a degree in English. He worked at Blue Ridge Behavioral Health as a counselor, as well as on the Homeless Assistance Team. He was a published poet and editor for Atremis Magazine.
Sparky was one of a kind. He never met a stranger and had an impact on everyone who met him. He possessed an amazing wealth of knowledge and was quite the storyteller. Sparky loved all animals and brought every stray he saw home. He loved all things to do with nature, including camping, hiking with his son, and birdwatching. He and his family vacationed at beaches throughout his life where he collected shells with his family. Another of his lifelong loves was his music. John Prine was a favorite. A dedicated sports fan, he loved UVA Basketball, the Boston Celtics and Red Sox, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He enjoyed spending time fishing with his brother Jeff. Sparky was a member of AA for many years and enjoyed the friendships he made there.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Ferguson; son, Cham Ferguson (Amanda); grandson, Silas Ferguson; sister, Mitzi Brown (Byron) and niece Nicki Ferguson, and sister, Kathy Ferguson and nephews, Steve and Matthew (Jenny) and great niece Ann Parker and great nephew Harris; special aunt Carol Hughes, Aunt Dot Ferguson; and beloved pets both here and passed on.
Special thanks to Raleigh Court Nursing Home and Gentiva Hospice Care. Also, thanks to the VA Hospital for their kindness and special care during his illness.
Memorial contributions may be made to Angels of Assisi.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Born in Roanoke Virginia, Sparky attended William Byrd High School and served in the Army. He graduated from Roanoke College with a degree in English. He worked at Blue Ridge Behavioral Health as a counselor, as well as on the Homeless Assistance Team. He was a published poet and editor for Atremis Magazine.
Sparky was one of a kind. He never met a stranger and had an impact on everyone who met him. He possessed an amazing wealth of knowledge and was quite the storyteller. Sparky loved all animals and brought every stray he saw home. He loved all things to do with nature, including camping, hiking with his son, and birdwatching. He and his family vacationed at beaches throughout his life where he collected shells with his family. Another of his lifelong loves was his music. John Prine was a favorite. A dedicated sports fan, he loved UVA Basketball, the Boston Celtics and Red Sox, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He enjoyed spending time fishing with his brother Jeff. Sparky was a member of AA for many years and enjoyed the friendships he made there.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Ferguson; son, Cham Ferguson (Amanda); grandson, Silas Ferguson; sister, Mitzi Brown (Byron) and niece Nicki Ferguson, and sister, Kathy Ferguson and nephews, Steve and Matthew (Jenny) and great niece Ann Parker and great nephew Harris; special aunt Carol Hughes, Aunt Dot Ferguson; and beloved pets both here and passed on.
Special thanks to Raleigh Court Nursing Home and Gentiva Hospice Care. Also, thanks to the VA Hospital for their kindness and special care during his illness.
Memorial contributions may be made to Angels of Assisi.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.