Margarita Ferguson Obituary (1961 - 2022) - Washington, District of Columbia

Pastor Margarita Ramona Ferguson, affectionately known as “Rita” was born in Washington, DC on November 7, 1961, to Isaiah Ferguson and Geraldine Gilliam. She peacefully went into eternal rest at the age of 60 on Monday May 16, 2022, at George Washington Hospital Center, where she was surround by her family members by her side. Rita was the second oldest from a family of five children. She attended Catholic Church and School. After 7 years of being in Catholicism, she transferred to the District of Columbia's public school system. In 1979, Pastor Rita graduated from Joel Elias Spingarn Senior High School and started working for the Department of Agriculture up to 1987, then to a Private Firm from 1987-1992 and from there to The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families as a Grant Specialist up until January 31, 2022, when she retired. Pastor Rita's gave her life to Christ at the age of 21. She realized that her pattern of life had to change. It was her mother, who led her to Christ. The Lord instantly, delivered Pastor Rita. She became born-again by asking Jesus Christ, to come into her life and save her. It was then, that she established a strong foundation in the Word of God by praying, studying, and attending bible study and prayer services regularly. For many years Pastor Rita served as an Usher and taught Sunday school at The Peoples' Church under the leadership of Senior Pastors Fred and Charlotte Hall (deceased) and Pastor Michael Hall. For several years, Pastor Rita participated in the annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon. As time progressed, Pastor Rita's hunger and thirst for God and His Word began to increase at a deeper level and moved on and became a Licensed Minister, Ordained Elder, and Pastor under the leadership of Bishop James and Pastor Vanessa Mills, Senior Pastors of Newness of Life Bible Church. For several years she was trained, developed and prepared for the "work of the ministry" (Luke 4:18) while continuing to teach and preach as well as minister periodically to the hurting at various women and men shelters. She also wrote and recorded bible notes to share with members of Newness of Life Bible Church. Pastor Rita taught Sunday school on a rotational basis and served In the capacity of Church Administrator. In the year 2000, she birthed a ministry which was called “Do You Want To Be Made Whole” under the leadership of Bishop James and Pastor Vanessa Mills. This ministry would speak to those who had been wounded, abuse, misused and lacked self- confidence. Pastor Rita received additional ministerial training for ministers and teachers at the Crown of Christ Ministries under the leadership of Elder Patricia Tyous (decease). Rita had a love for God, and she showed it. She believed the Word of God and she stood on the Word of God. She loved to read, especially Gods word and she put the word of God into action. When you came to her home, you would think she owned a library, because of all of the books, and bibles that she had. Margarita not only taught the word of God, but she also preached the word of God. Rita, had a thirst and a hunger for the word of God, and she did not mind sharing what she knew. Rita not only taught the word, but she walked the walk. She stood on the word of God, and she believed what the word said. Pastor Rita was a Prayer Warrior and a Mighty Woman Of God. The Life that she led, speaks for her. Being led by the Lord, Margarita returned back home to her foundational church where she first started which is The Peoples Church. Margarita acquired such taste from her father, she had an eye for fashion, everything from her hair to her clothing, decorating even her cooking were done to perfection. Rita loved her family and there was not nothing that she would not do for them. Her mother was her riding partner. They both, shared so much together, shopping, dining out, church and spending time with God. Her son was the apple of her eye, so proud to be his mother. He brought so much joy by allowing her to become a grandmother to Isaiah, Sa’Renity and Kennedi. Margarita known as “Rita” will remain forever in our hearts and memories. She is preceded in death by her father, Isaiah Ferguson. She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted Mother Geraldine Gilliam; her loving Son, Gerald Ferguson; three grandchildren Isaiah, Kennedi and Sa’Renity Ferguson; three devoted and caring Sisters, Teresa Wright (Sylvester), Bernadette and Arlandria Ferguson; her Big Brother, Sean Ferguson; seven nieces Darnisha VanHook, Valencia Tobe-Kennedy, Bernadette Washington, Darnita Smith; DeShawn and Shontae Mc Millan, Dallas Profitt; one nephew Eugene Washington, and a host of great nieces, a great nephew, uncle, aunts, cousins, friends and her best girlfriend of 35 years, who was by Rita side to the very end, Renee M. Wilhite. ~~~~Pastor Margarita Ferguson, will Truly Truly Be Missed!!!!!!~~~~ “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. “ 2 Timothy 4: 8