Lloyd Scroggins

Lloyd Scroggins - Lloyd passed away on Dec. 13 at the age of 90 from complications from Alzheimer’s and heart and kidney disease. He left an amazing legacy in transforming the lives of young boys into mature men throughout the community. One of his students went on to be a National Junior Olympic champion. Lloyd leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Mary Emma (Bobbie) Scroggins, 89, his stepson, Bill Ownbey, a son from a previous marriage, Lloyd Dennis Scroggins, three grandsons, Lloyd Scroggins, Robert Scroggins, and William Scroggins, all of Knoxville, seven great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, two nieces and a nephew. Born on September 30, 1928, the middle of three children to parents Paul and Lena Scroggins, Lloyd Scroggins would go on to become one of the greatest boxing trainers in Chattanooga history, coaching five members of the Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach in 2010. Lloyd joined the Army and served in the Korean War, earning his GED and the rank of sergeant. While Lloyd was a mechanic by trade, he coached boxing for 31 years -- first at the Frye Institute and then at the National Guard Armory. Coaching all ages kept a lot of the boys off the streets and many considered him a father figure. One of those boys, Jackie Godwin, 69, met Lloyd at age 12 when he first was introduced to boxing. He said Lloyd treated everyone the same, and that the boys loved him for it and depended on him. He credited Lloyd with helping him get a boxing scholarship in 1967 so he could attend a two-year college while working full time. In addition to coaching the boys during the regular boxing season in the winter months, Lloyd also traveled with the high school aged teams to weekend boxing tournaments throughout the Southeast. Lloyd’s interest and support extended beyond the boxing ring. Over his lifetime, Lloyd helped hundreds of people get jobs, training many as mechanics. Visitation will be held this Wednesday at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the graveside service beginning at 1:30 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Chattanooga or First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Chattanooga Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. In honor of Lloyd’s lifelong love of bluegrass and classic country music, his niece, Kay Ward, and a friend of the family will be playing bluegrass at the service.