It was a hat and glove affair at the Chattanooga Convention Center to celebrate Wilma L. Scruggs' 100th birthday. Hosted by her daughter and son-in-law, Deacon John L. and Dr. Janice Willis, Willis wanted the occasion to represent the times of her mother's birth and asked the invited guests to wear hats and gloves and the men to wear bow ties.
Coming from all over the country, 150 well-wishers were in attendance.
Scruggs spent 20 years working with the now defunct Chattanooga Public School System, serving as head secretary at The Howard School. Following a test of skills, she was the first black secretary to pass the qualifying examination for Level III Rating. Scruggs ultimately left Howard to work in the Division of Research and Development at the city school administrative and supervisory headquarters. Her former supervisor and principal at Howard, Dr. C. C. Bond, commented on her retirement in 1984 that her loyalty, competence and dedication as a secretary were highly appreciated by students, teachers, parents and administrators.