Jeanne Scruggs' Obituary
Jeanne Scruggs was born in 1923 in El Dorado, Kansas and died in Memphis November 15,2017. She grew up in Oil Hill, Kansas living with her grandmother and uncle, as her parents had died in their early 20’s. Jeanne and her sister, Geraldine, were only approximately 3 and 5 years old at the time. Their grandmother was Post Office Mistress of Oil Hill and owned the only general store in the area for the town residents. Grand Mother Harmon believed that the girls should study well and play an instrument. So each girl was given a violin and taught to play for the enjoyment of their family and friends.Jeanne graduated from the High School in Oil Hill (which later became part of Wichita) and went on to attend Baylor University. Her sole support, her Grandmother Harmon, died and she was forced to leave college and get a job. She moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where her sister, Geraldine, was attending Memphis State which would later become The University of Memphis. Jeanne took a job as a legal secretary in Memphis. Later she moved to San Antonio, Texas. She was married for 5 years to David Laney and had a daughter, Shirley; several years later they divorced. She then moved with her daughter to San Angelo, Texas to live with her Aunt and Uncle, Elcy and Albert Holdeman. A few years later she returned to Memphis with her daughter and married Harry U. Scruggs, Jr.Once again, Jeanne went to work as a legal secretary for an attorney and over the many years worked for a number of firms: Hunter Lane, Sr., Hunter Lane, Jr., Ben Wages, and Melinda Benham. She continued working for many years up through her late 60’s and early 70’s before retiring.Harry and Jeanne spent many happy weekends at Pickwick Lake with their daughter, Shirley, and son, Jerry. Though they did not have a cabin, they had several boats for everyone to use. Often they would camp out on an island overnight and enjoyed waking up to see the sunrise early in the morning.They were members of the local Germania Club for many years and made many long-time friends. They were also members of Mullins Methodist Church over the years. Jeanne was pre-deceased by her parents, Rosa and Gerald Harmon in their early 20’s ,as well her sister, Geraldine Harmon Rogers and brother-in-law Terrell Rogers. Her husband, longtime Memphis attorney Harry Ulmate Scruggs, Jr., died several years ago, still working the phone the evening before he died on behalf of one of his clients. Jeanne and Harry had a wonderful work ethic.Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Shirley Scruggs Howell (Alan), son, Harry Gerald Scruggs, grand-daughter Leigh Anne Williams, great-grandsons Tyler Williams and Luke Williams and a great-great granddaughter, Ashley Williams, all of Knoxville, Tennessee. She is also survived by her niece, Jill Rogers (Ann) of Cypress, Texas; her nephews Dennis Rogers of Hemphill, Texas and Terry Rogers (Pat) of Houston, Texas.The family would like to thank all of the ladies working at Page Robbins Adult Day Care. Also, many thanks go out to Crossroads Palative Care and Hospice Home Care. Also, many thanks to Tina at Ave Maria Home Care.Visitation will be 10:30-11:30 a.m. and funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, November 30 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Page Robbins Adult Day Care Center, 1961 South Houston Levee Road, Collierville, TN 38017.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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