Samuel Scruggs

Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Mr. Samuel Scruggs

Mr. Samuel Scruggs, 69, of Blytheville transitioned from his earthly home into eternity on Monday, April 3, 2017, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born on July 26, 1947, in Lee County Arkansas (Scruggs Settlement), to Reverend Willie and Victoria Clayton Scruggs.

Confessing a hope in Christ at an early age, he was a devout Methodist and was a lifelong member of Scruggs Chapel Methodist Church serving under the leadership of James Scruggs. Graduating from Anna Strong High School he began his college career at Arkansas Baptist College and Philander College receiving both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. He also attended Grantsmanship Center in Los Angeles, California and the Alexander Hamilton Institute in Clinton, New York.

Mr. Scruggs served as an Economic Developer in Forrest City (Lee County) and Blytheville (Mississippi) County. On May 1, 1978, he began his employment with Mississippi County, Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc. (MCAEOC). On March 23, 1978, he became the Executive Director serving for over 39 years.

Mr. Scruggs impacted the lives of thousands of low-income residents in Mississippi County, the State of Arkansas and the Delta Region of the United States. He worked tirelessly to make a difference by empowering families to become self-sufficient and achieving their educational goals. Mr. Scruggs' knowledge, wisdom and expertise were sought by many on the local, state and federal level. He was a true humanitarian with a spirit of giving that extended beyond his family, but to everyone in need, becoming a "Secret Santa Claus" to many Head Start Children and Families.

His memberships and associations were numerous including serving as a member of the Blytheville Rotary Club, the Arkansas Community Foundation, the Arkansas Community Action Association, the East Arkansas Renew Initiative, the Great River Economic Development Foundation, Co-Chair of the Delta Bridge Project of Mississippi County, the Greater Blytheville Chamber of Commerce, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), AAMOD, the Versatile 25 Social Club, the Rockefeller Foundation, and was an active member of the United Methodist Church.

He leaves to cherish his memories and to celebrate his home going, a very devoted family of two sisters, Mrs. Gussie Nicholson of Marianna, Arkansas and Mrs. Erma Sparks of Garfield Heights, Ohio, nieces, nephews cousins, his MCAEOC Family, and many friends.

Funeral Services for Mr. Samuel Scruggs will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 364 South Poplar Street, Marianna, Arkansas. Reverend James Scruggs is the eulogist with burial to follow at Gill Cemetery in Gill, Arkansas.

A visitation will be held in Blytheville, Arkansas from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at First Missionary Baptist Church, 600 East McHaney Street.

The family will also receive friends from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2017 at Scruggs Chapel Methodist Church, Hwy 261, Holub Crossing

Clay Funeral Home Forrest City is in charge of services and arrangement.