Willow River Ferguson

Willow River Ferguson, age 8, of Morganton, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025.

She was born in Burke County on November 25, 2016. Willow had a variety of interests and hobbies. She loved swimming and going to the movies. She enjoyed dancing and listening to music. A true “Swiftie,” she was a devoted Taylor Swift fan. Willow played softball, and her team recently won their championship, which made everyone proud.

Willow was a rising third grader at New Dimensions School in Morganton. She was very selfless, and she would do anything to help others. Her big heart extended to her family, friends, and classmates alike. She was a light to all around her who will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Philip Wright “Poppy,” and her paternal great-grandmother, Helene Pilof.

Those left to cherish her memory are her father, Jacob Ferguson; mother, Megan Wright (Jordan McFadden); paternal grandparents, Tony Ferguson “Papa” and Felicia Ferguson “Nana;” maternal grandparents, John McFadden “Da” and Rhonda McFadden “Nan;” paternal great-grandparents, Paul Ferguson and Rose Abbott; aunts and uncles, Allison Wright, Brienna Wright and Noah, and Melayna Rodriguez and Josh; and her cousins, Madeline, Sophia, Annalee, McKenzie, Colson, and Owen.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 10:00 until 12:00 at the Beam Celebration Center. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Willow’s dad for his recovery through Venmo @felferguson or through Zelle @feliciaferguson using the last four digits of the phone number 4616.