Robert Owen “Bobby” Scruggs, age 92, of 1301 Woodlawn Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia died Thursday, December 5, 2019 at his residence.
Bobby was born February 14, 1927 in Iron Gate, Virginia to the late Claude Howell Scruggs, Sr. and Bessie Fairburn Scruggs. He entered the United States Army on May 21, 1945, served as a member of the 18th Infantry Regiment, and was a proud part of “The Big Red One”. He was a non-commissioned officer in charge of the Honor Guard at the funeral of General George S. Patton in Belgium and served as a security guard at the Nuremburg War Crimes Tribunal. Following his service to his country, he went to work for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad and retired as a machinist. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church, loved his family and enjoyed woodworking.
In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Wade Scruggs in July of 2014; his daughter, Sally Wade Scruggs; two sisters; and four brothers.
He is survived by two sisters, Ruth Scruggs Keyser of Clifton Forge and Mary Ann Scruggs Hayse of Radford; two sisters-in-law, Reva Fairburn and husband Tom of Lexington and Anne Lawler of Durham, NC; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a special caregiver, Loren Beverly of Iron Gate. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Mountain Regional Hospice, and Bobby’s friends, for caring for him.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Lynn Wright and Col. Jeffrey Allen U.S.A.F., retired, officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by members of the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars of Covington. Pallbearers will be selected from friends and family attending the service, including Jimmy Hayse, David Hayse, Steve Keyser, Skipper Hudgins,Johnny Scruggs, and Eddie Pullin. Danny Reese will serve as honorary pallbearer . The family will visit with friends on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Nicely Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Central United Methodist Church Men’s Bible Class, P.O. Box 16, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.