Imogene Baldwin-Ferguson

Imogene Baldwin-Ferguson (Fleming) formerly of Sunrise, FL and Brooklyn, NY, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the age of 80 in Jackson, GA. She was born on May 20, 1944, in Greenville, SC, where she grew up with her nine siblings— through hardships, love, and good times. Known to many as Jean (or Gene), she was a beloved, dynamic, and determined mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a cherished friend and surrogate mother to many.

Imogene migrated to New York in 1961 and resided in Brooklyn for 43 years until she and her husband moved to Sunrise, FL, for retirement in 2002. She graduated from Queensborough Community College with an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts in 1976, and from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor’s in Sociology in 1979. Imogene worked for several NYC agencies for over 25 years, including the NYC Housing Authority and as a Youth Coordinator for Community Board 17. Throughout her career, she worked alongside the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the late Councilwoman and best friend Mary Pickett, and current New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker, to name a few.

Imogene lived a life filled with love, compassion, strength, and kindness. She surrounded herself with an eclectic and versatile circle of friends and was known as a dedicated and committed community leader. She was a champion author, vivid reader, an advocate for voter participation, a creative crafter and crocheter, and an overall humanitarian.

After relocating to Sunrise, Imogene didn’t slow down. She continued to serve her community by caring for the elderly through her business, GrandNanny Inc., became a real estate agent, and volunteered as an election poll worker until 2020. Throughout her life in both Brooklyn and Fort Lauderdale, she was actively involved in organizations such as First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, the Brooklyn College Alumni Association, DC37 Retiree Association, First Baptist Church of Sunrise, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Broward County Democratic Party, and the Sunrise Lakes Phase I Condo Association, among others.

Imogene is survived by her children: Janice Berg, Jon Baldwin, Charisse Baldwin-Anderson, and Jhana Baldwin-Ferguson; her grandchildren: Niemah Baldwin, Edrica Ferguson, Eliane Berg, Kwame Hennagan, Christina Davis, Imogené Baldwin, Jon Baldwin Jr., Michael Baldwin, I’Yana Melton, Armani Melton, and Daniel Baldwin; her siblings: Vardrey Fleming, Izell Fleming, Carrie Gowens, Rosa Byrd, James Fleming, Esther Robinson, and Russell Fleming; her cherished companion dog, Chris; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clara Lee and Izell Fleming; her husband, Eric Ferguson; her daughter, Christina Baldwin-El; her sisters, Stella Fleming and Robena Gowens; and her best friend, Charlotte Aguilar.

Her love, wit, strength, and compassion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Join Us for a Memorial Honoring the Life of Imogene Baldwin-Ferguson

We invite you to join us in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Imogene, during a special memorial service. Together, we’ll reflect on cherished memories, honor her life, and find comfort in the shared love we have for her. Your presence, even virtually, means so much to our family during this time.

Date: Sunday, May 18th, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM EST

Livestream Link: tinyurl.com/Imogene-Memorial

An intimate memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Bethel Bible Missionary Church in Greenville, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to an organization Imogene would have proudly supported, such as:

● Child Advocacy Centers (e.g., Georgia Center for Child Advocacy) :

https://georgiacenterforchildadvocacy.org/what-you-can-do/donate-now/donate-now.html

● Youth-Based Organizations

● Domestic Violence Shelters/Organizations

● Sexual Assault Survivor or Rape Crisis Centers

● Delta Sigma Theta Scholarship Fund

● Alzheimer’s Association

● League of Women Voters

● Democratic National Committee (DNC)

● Obama Foundation