Thurman Scruggs

Bluefield, WV- Thurman L. Scruggs, 84, of 2506 Grandview Avenue, Bluefield, WV, died Thursday March 19, 2009 at Westwood Nursing & Rehabilitation in Bluefield, VA. Born July 5, 1924 in Bluefield, WV, he was a son of the late Charles E. Scruggs and Rhoda Jonas Scruggs. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Bluefield. Mr. Scruggs graduated from Beaver High School and he attended Bluefield College until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in early 1943. He was a member of the 400th Armored Field Artillery serving under Gen. George Patton, Commander of the 3rd Army and Gen. Hodges, commander of the First Army. Cpl. Scruggs was awarded five Oak Leaf Clusters for his participation in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, St. Lo Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe and Bridge at Ramngen. When the war was over, Thurman returned to Bluefield, his family and his church. He also returned to a pretty young lady, Peggy Tate whom he cherished and loved for the rest of his life. He loved children and worked with them in many ways. He was Scout Master of Troop 21, First Baptist Church for seven years. He was a Sunday school teacher for Baptist young people for 35 years. He was Deacon at First Baptist Church for 62 years and served on the Properties Committee for 18 years. Thurman retired as President from Bluefield Hardware after 44 years of service. He was also active in the City of Bluefield. He was Chairman of Firemen's Civil Service Board, and was also a Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Scruggs was also a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph W. Scruggs, Jr. and Richard E. Scruggs; and one grandson, Charles David Scruggs. Survivors include the pretty young lady who became his wife of 59 years, Margaret "Peggy" Tate Scruggs, of the home; four children, David Scruggs and his wife Brenda of Bluefield, VA, Sam Scruggs and his wife Kathy of Bluefield, WV, Jeff Scruggs and his wife Cheryl of Plano, TX and Sue Doane and her husband Eric of Evans, GA; eleven grandchildren, Elizabeth Scruggs, Andrew Scruggs and Allyson Scruggs all of Bluefield, VA, Christopher Scruggs of Barboursville, WV, Joshua Scruggs and Jacob Scruggs both of Bluefield, WV, Brittany Scruggs and Lauren Scruggs both of Plano, TX, and Katherine Doane, Camille Doane and Tim Doane all of Evans, GA; and nephews, Mike Scruggs of Rocky Mount, NC and Gary Scruggs of Morehead City, NC. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home on Sunday evening, March 22, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday March 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from First Baptist Church in Bluefield with Rev. W. Wesley Huff, a close family friend and Rev. Ed Fisher officiating. Burial will follow at Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Bluefield, WV. Serving as pallbearers will be Andrew Scruggs, Christopher Scruggs, Joshua Scruggs, Jacob Scruggs, Tim Doane and Abel Solademi. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Martin, Ollie Law, Arthur Carroll, Dr. Jay Rodgin, Tyler Easley, Roger Akers, B.P. Early and David Armbrister. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions, if desired, be made to First Baptist Church Endowment Fund, 1325 Augusta Street, Bluefield, WV 24701 or to Bluefield Union Mission, 2203 Bluefield Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or e-mail condolence messages may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Thurman L. Scruggs.

Thurman Scruggs

July 5, 1924 - March 19, 2009