Alyssa Janae Ferguson

Alyssa Janae Ferguson, age 15, was born on January 7, 2002, and passed away peacefully at her Missouri City, TX home on January 26, 2017, after a courageous three-year battle with Medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer.

Born in Abilene, Texas, Alyssa also lived with her family in the Texas cities of Temple, Round Rock, and Missouri City. She attended Chandler Oaks Elementary in Round Rock, TX where she received the American Legion award and the Presidential award. She attended Baines Middle School in Missouri City, TX where she participated in the band, Pre-AP coursework, National Junior Honor Society, and a MatchBook competition, as well as received the inaugural Humanitarian Award. She was a member of the Ridge Point High School Panthers Band, First Colony Church of Christ youth group, and served on the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital Youth Advisory Council.

Alyssa played piano and trombone, enjoyed board games and cards, spending time with her friends, movies, 80s music, Contemporary Christian music, volunteering, and all things Disney. She considered herself quite the connoisseur of chips and queso. She was well-known for her academic work ethic, kindness, love of God, and her always present smile.

Alyssa achieved her dream of making a difference in the world by having a water well built in Zimbabwe through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Her selfless act inspired Contemporary Christian artist Matthew West to write the song “World Changers” based on her story. Since that time, an additional four wells have been constructed in her honor around the world.

Alyssa was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Don Ferguson, maternal grandmother Sharron Miller, and maternal aunt Susan Hasemeyer. She is survived by her parents Scott and Sandy Ferguson of Missouri City, sister Jenna Ferguson of Missouri City, grandmother Vivian Ferguson of North Richland Hills, TX; grandparents O.E. and Kay Miller of Hurst, TX; aunt Krista Bryant and husband Sam of North Richland Hills, TX; uncle Scott Miller and wife Susan of West University Place, TX; uncle Gary Hasemeyer of Harvest, AL; great-grandmother Lowell Ray McCormack of Sherman, TX; great-grandmother Joyce Miller of The Colony, TX; great-grandmother Ruth McClanahan of Tyler, TX; and loving cousins Bethany Denton of Monteagle, TN, Bryce Denton of Atlanta, GA, and Kayla, Dalton, and Landon Bryant of North Richland Hills, TX. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, Memorial Hermann Hospice, Texas Gulf Coast Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Sunshine Kids Foundation for their partnership and service in her care.

A memorial service will be held at First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Blvd, Sugar Land, TX at 3:00pm Sunday, January 29. Attendees are encouraged to wear Alyssa’s favorite colors of red and/or blue.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund at www.alyssasfund.com.