Evangelist Sylvia A. Scruggs was born on June 18, 1951, to Deacon Cleophus and Mother Deborah Scruggs.
She graduated from South High School in 1969. She graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve. Sylvia was employed at the Summit County Department of Human Services for 36 years and retired in 2012.
Sylvia was born into the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) at Wooster Avenue Temple, now known as Saint Ashworth Temple. She joined Unity COGIC in 1985. Sylvia was a charter member of Unity and the first church secretary. Sylvia always supported her church and remained faithful and committed for 37 years. Sylvia had a servant’s heart for ministry. She served in the following: Adjutancy Sisters’ leader, choir member and president, Sunday School teacher, hospitality, YWCC/UWCC, UHM food pantry, Woman to Woman committee, and many other committees at the church.
She spent time growing in the Lord through prayer and various bible study groups, including family bible study with her brother-in-love, Deacon Paul DeBose. Sylvia received her Evangelist license in 1999 from the William Morgan James Institute. She was a hard-working member of the Boaz Found Me & Pearls Singles & Relationship Ministries serving for 15 years. This ministry presented workshops and shared Boaz & Pearl’s books annually at the International COGIC Convocations.
Sylvia was a very supportive Executive Board member for three decades with the National Multicultural Diversity Day & Institute, which her sister, Cleorah, is the founder and president. It was endorsed by the National Education Association in 1993. Sylvia was also a member of the South High School 50th Class Reunion Committee.
Sylvia loved her family and enjoyed many fun-filled family vacations. She enjoyed crafts and adding “bling” to hats and clothing. She was eager to learn new craft projects.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her father, Deacon Cleophus Scruggs; grandparents, and great-grandparents; nephews, Terrence II, and Eirsrick Scruggs; and great-nephew, Tyon Scruggs.
Sylvia leaves to cherish her memory, her ever-loving and faithful mother, Mother Deborah Scruggs; ever-loving, very helpful siblings, Cleorah (Paul) DeBose, Clifford (Karen), Terrence, and Eric Scruggs, and Cedrick Tucker; nieces, Lisa and Syretta Scruggs; nephews, Clifford II, Clinton, and Drew Scruggs; god-daughters, Ashley Haleema Rahim and Morgan Anderson; great nieces and nephews; and a host of many relatives, and friends.