Ottie Yvonne (Young) Ferguson was born on August 8, 1948, in Excelsior, WV, to the union of Henry Garnel Young and Mary Emma (Jones) Young, the ninth child in a family of twelve children, seven boys and five girls. The Young and Ferguson families mourn the passing of our dearly beloved; despite valiant efforts over numerous years against an unrelenting disease, Yvonne entered her eternal rest on May 17, 2025.

Yvonne attended the McDowell County School system in WV, graduated from Big Creek High School in 1968, and entered Bluefield State College on an academic scholarship the following school term. After an extended break from school to rear her children, Yvonne completed a degree program at UMass Boston focused on Nonprofit Management & Public Leadership.

On November 8, 1969, Yvonne married Earnest E. Ferguson. Over time, four sons were added to the family: Earnest Jr., Kami, and twins Haakim and Kareem.

Yvonne believed academics and spiritual development are intertwined to form a solid foundation for rearing children. She home-schooled her two older children during the primary grades, providing traditional academic and religious curricula. Yvonne was reared in the Baptist church and later became acquainted with and practiced Islam. Her religious walk can be described as multi-religious belonging; she found inspiration and meaning in traditions from both doctrines, while not formally identifying with all from either religion. During 1989, Yvonne and her son, Kami, went on a pilgrimage to Egypt to deepen their faith, learn Arabic Language, and to shape practices of daily prayer, fasting, and observance of Islamic dietary codes.

An avid reader of all genres of literature, quick-thinking, formidably clever, and smart-witted are words often used to describe Yvonne. Yvonne was a natural-born educator; she loved giving instruction and information. Absent a formal classroom, she routinely gathered young minds to teach them about Kwanzaa and other African American traditions. She encouraged her sons to celebrate their culture, embrace racial pride, build a strong sense of self, and give to the community and society. Out of a passion to instruct young minds came many hours of volunteer service at her children's schools, Another Course of College "ACC", Middle Charter Public School "SCMS", and Epiptany School. Subsequently, she became the owner of Happy Bear Day Care Center, where she molded young minds for many years.

Yvonne enjoyed sewing and possessed a high skill level, producing professional-grade garments, listening to music, especially Luther Van Dross, and physical exercise.

Yvonne is survived by four Sons: Earnest Jr., Kami, Kareem, and Haakim (Yva) Ferguson, and seven grandchildren: Ayanna Ferguson, Aiyonna Goines, Malik Scott, Ethan Ferguson, Earnest Ferguson III, Imani Ferguson, and Zakiya Ferguson. One great grandson Isaiah Ferguson.