Mabel Scruggs

Mabel Humphrey Scruggs, 104, of Chattanooga, entered her heavenly home Sunday, June 23, 2013, in a local hospital.A native of Chattanooga, she was the Salutatorian of the Howard Class of 1926. Mrs. Scruggs earned her bachelors degree from Clark College, in Atlanta, and her masters degree from Atlanta University, with concentrations in English and education. She did further study at Northwestern University, Tennessee State University and the University of Southern California.Mrs. Scruggs retired as a teacher at Riverside High School, where she served as chair of the English Department. While at Riverside, she was selected as "Teacher of the Year" by the faculty and "Our Lady of the year" by the students. Her professional affiliations included the Tennessee Education Association and the National Education Association.Mrs. Scruggs was one of five charter members of Gamma Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., having served as the chapter's first president and as chairperson of many committees. The chapter also named her its first "Zeta of the Year." Nationally, she served as a Pan-Hellenic Representative and National Trustee of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, inc. Presently, a sorority scholarship is named in her honor.As an active member of Wiley United Methodist Church, Mrs. Scruggs was often recognized for her dedicated work and service to the youth of the church. She served as Sunday School teacher, church secretary, and as a delegate to the United Methodist Holston Conference for many years. Mrs. Scruggs received many distinguished service awards. She was recognized by Church Women United with the "Valiant Woman" award, as Wiley's "Woman of the Year", and as a "Pioneer Woman" by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.In 1995, Mrs. Scruggs received the "Hall of Fame" award from the local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She treasured one award in particular that she received from her late husbands fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, during their Centennial Anniversary, in 2006. In 2008, Mayor Ron Littlefield awarded Mrs. Scruggs a certificate of honor for her 99 years of community service to the city of Chattanooga. In 2009 she was named a "Legendary Lady of Merit" by the Tennessee State National Alumni Association-Chattanooga Chapter.Mrs. Scruggs was married to the late Booker T. Scruggs for over 60 years.Survivors include devoted son, Booker T. Scruggs II; grandson, Cameroun; great-grandson, Marquise; daughter-in-law, Johnnie Lynn Scruggs.Services will be held at noon Saturday, June 29, 2013, at Bethlehem-Wiley United Methodist Church, the Rev. Lurone Jennings officiating and the Rev. Roland Scruggs as Eulogist.Entombment will be in Hamilton Memorial Garden.The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. today at the Trammell Chapel of Hardwick and Son Funeral Home, 913 East MLK Blvd. The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Burial Service will be held at 8 p.m. at Trammell Chapel.In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Mabel H. Scruggs Scholarship Funds, P.O. Box 3164, Chattanooga, TN 37404 or the Bethlehem-Wiley youth group.