"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7"

On March 31, 2016, surrounded by family, The Rev. Francis Vernon (Vern) Ferguson, of Roanoke, Va., went home to be with his Lord who he served and loved. His battle with cancer is over and by His stripes he is healed and without pain.

Vern was born on November 26, 1939, in Bassett, Va., the second son of Howard and Reubenia Ferguson. Vern was a proud Navy veteran who served the United States Navy for 6 ½ years before going to work for the Newport News Shipyard where he worked directly with and for the Navy for an additional 10 ½ years.

Vern was called into the Gospel ministry in 1976 and served as a supply pastor for several area churches in the Hampton Roads area. He also had a jail ministry for several years in the Hampton and Newport News areas as well as serving as the Chaplain of the Hampton branch of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

After moving with his family to Richmond, Va., Vern continued his service with the MDA as well as serving as chaplain for the Wheel Wizards, a group of wheelchair bound athletes competing in state and local track and field events. Vern's last pastorate was as Associate Pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Roanoke. He also held secular jobs through the years in order to support his family.

Vern's many community service activities included volunteering with Roanoke County Station #5 Volunteer Rescue Squad for a number of years as an EMT and also as chaplain providing both skilled emergency medical care and compassion to those in need.

He enjoyed wood working and created many beautiful Swedish wood items that he sold at Local Colors as well as making numerous hand crafted items for family and friends such as Viking ships; ornate deer sculptures; decorative clocks; book cases; and many more items.

Vern loved his Lord, country and family. He was a devoted husband, father and Paw Paw. Preceding him in death were his parents, Howard and Reubenia Ferguson of Roanoke, Va.; and his older brother, James Howard Ferguson of Austin, Texas.

Vern leaves behind to mourn his passing and celebrate his life, his wife of 49 years, DiAnne; his children, Cathy Ferguson of Roanoke, Vernon Ferguson (William Dudley) of Blacksburg, Charlotte Clark of Roanoke, and Stephanie Mauk (Brian) of Round Rock, Texas. He also leaves behind his three granddaughters, his eldest granddaughter, who shares his birthday, Samantha Mauk of Texas, his special angel, Amanda Clark, and his special little one, Allison Clark, both of Roanoke, Va. In addition, Vern leaves behind his younger brother, Tom Ferguson and sister-in-law, Marsha, of Roanoke; sister-in-law, Rosalyn Ferguson of Austin, Texas; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Vern's greatest joy in life was having his grandchildren over, especially his little ones who lived close by. He loved reading to them, watching them in the swimming pool and teasing them and being teased by them. Allison and Amanda loved him very much, as he loved them so very much and they are the reason he fought so hard to live. Vern also enjoyed rock collecting and acorn "fishing" with Samantha when she was younger and was proud of the beautiful young woman she's becoming.

He lived a good life. He loved people and never met a stranger. If anyone was in need, he was there for them. He always gave more than he received. As a pastor, he would spend hours with family members at the hospital long into the night or all night, waiting for word on their loved ones never once thinking of his own needs or well-being; only those in need and their loved ones, their pain, their agony.

Vern truly lived Luke 6:30. If someone needed his gloves, he would gladly give them and then give his coat as well. His family meant the world to him. However, his Lord came first and foremost in Vern's life. He tried to instill this love and a call to always help others into his children and grandchildren. When he arrived at the gates of Heaven, we know that Vern was embraced by our Lord and heard these words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

The family would like to offer our deepest gratitude to Carilion Hospice for the wonderful care and support they provided to Vern throughout his illness as well as their compassion and support of the family. Words can never truly express how grateful we are to Vern's caregivers especially Lisa, Allen, Debbie, Robyn, Clara, Tiffany and Amy. God truly blessed this family when He gave Vern caregivers who are angels in disguise. Thank you so much for all you did for Vern and for the family.

A special thanks also to Dr. Charles Daniel, Dr. Allen Todd, Dr. M. Cossio and Dr. Terrance May for their wonderful care and compassion forwards and for Vern.

The Funeral Service will be be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2016, at Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dick Jones and the Rev. Dr. Darryl G. Crim officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2016, at Oakey's North Chapel.

Roanoke Times, VA, April 2, 2016