- Date Of Birth: September 17, 1931
- Date Of Death: September 1, 2016
- State: Florida
Dr. Scruggs was born September 17, 1931, in Sheffield, Alabama. He was the first of 5 children born to James David Scruggs and Olivia Gaston Scruggs of blessed memory. He received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Alabama A & M University, an M.S. in Chemistry from Southern Connecticut State University, an M.A. Degree in Urban Studies from Occidental College, and a Doctorate in Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He spent the first part of his professional life as a research chemist at the Olin Mathieson Corp in New Haven, Connecticut. From the late 70s onward; he served as the Director of Migrant Education for the State of Florida until retirement. During his life, he was a prolific writer and was well-known for his politically incisive letters to the Tallahassee Democrat and other newspapers. He was also very active in civil rights, being a leader in the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Dr. Scruggs also ran for political office, authored several books, and held numerous scientific patents.
His memories are cherished by his children, Valerie Goodwin and her husband Bob of Tallahassee, Florida; Larcie Williams of St. Joe, Arkansas; Sylvia Colbert and her husband Bennie of Sarasota, Florida, Stacy Scruggs and Jabari Scruggs both of Tallahassee, Florida; his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and one sister, Gloria Scruggs Davis of Sheffield, Alabama.
