Evelyn Merriweather Ferguson
April 20, 1952 - October 17, 2025
Evelyn “Patti” Merriweather-Ferguson
Evelyn “Patti” Merriweather-Ferguson, affectionately known as “Patti,” passed away peacefully on October 17, 2025, leaving behind a deeply rooted legacy in the heart of Buffalo, New York. Born into the prominent Merriweather family, Patti was a third generation torchbearer of the Buffalo Criterion Newspaper, Western New York’s oldest Black weekly newspaper. Founded by her grandparents, Frank E. and Carmelita Merriweather Sr., in 1925, the Criterion has thrived for a century under the stewardship of the Merriweather family.
Patti was the second of five children, born on April 20, 1952, to the late Frank E. and Evelyn Merriweather Jr. She attended Buffalo Public Schools no. 74, 53, and East Highschool. Patti was a proud graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo (S.U.N.Y Buffalo), where she majored in History with a minor in English. Pattie pursued further studies in computer courses from Erie Community College, Apollo 3 Communications, and Four-Phase Systems, Inc.
Patti dedicated her life to the Buffalo Criterion Newspaper and her community. She grew up learning the intricacies of the newspaper business, mastering every aspect of newspaper production: typesetting, proof reading, photography, editing, composition, and distribution.
In her professional career, Patti served Erie County in multiple roles, including with the Erie County Legislature, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and Division of Budget and Management. Patti served on the Health Systems Agency of Western New York’s Project Review Committee, as well as its Bylaws Committee. Known for her dedication to public service, she organized United Way campaigns, Red Cross blood drives, and was a long-term elections inspector from 1988 until the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Patti was raised in the Holy Temple Church (C.O.G.I.C), under the leadership of the late Bishop E.F. McClelland, the late Bishop Lee Allen Spight, Sr., and the current paster, Elder Charles Brown.
Evelyn was united in holy matrimony to Albert Ferguson, with whom she shared 44 wonderful years of marriage, and raised two sons, Brian and Jeremy Ferguson. She adored her family deeply and had a special love for all children, especially her great-nieces and great nephews: Nehemiah, Josiah, Lylah, Ivy, Cameron, and Ayla. Patti found joy in travelling, camping, bowling, and playing the Wii, games like golf, bowling, tennis, and Madden football. She was a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan.
Patti leaves behind her cherished memory by her husband, Albert Ferguson; sons Brian and Jeremy Ferguson; sister, Frances Jill (Frank) Gist; brothers, Frank E. (LaVerne) Merriweather III and Bruce (Denise) Merriweather; nieces and nephews, Chad Booth, Brandye Merriweather, Kelly Merriweather, Khadijah Merriweather, Alyna Merriweather Brown, Bruce (Carleen) Merriweather II, Alexa Merriweather, Jarrett Gist, and Audra Gist; great-nieces and great nephews, Nehemiah Merriweather, Josiah Gist, Lylah Brown, Ivy Brown, Cameron Gist, and Ayla Ricks; cousins, Shirley Lanier, Todd Lanier, Adam Lanier, Joshua Lanier, Clifford Charles, Sue Sims, and William “Billie” Sims, and a host of other loving family member.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. and Evelyn Patterson-Merriweather; sister, Carole Ann Merriweather; and nephew, Mashi J. Booth.
Her legacy of dedication, love, and community spirit will live on in all who knew her.