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John Clarence "Skeepie"
Scarborough, III to be honored by the Durham Committee on Affairs of
Black People on August 26, 2006 for his humanitarian services.
John Clarence "Skeepie"
Scarborough, Ill, is a native of Durham, North Carolina. He is the
fourth generation member of the Scarborough family to lead the legendary
Scarborough and Hargett Funeral Home. Joseph Crooms Hargett became the
founder of J.C. Hargett General Store and undertaker in Kinston, N.C. in
1871. In 1888, Joseph Crooms Hargett, father-in-law formed a partnership
with John Clarence Scarborough, Sr., son-in-law as Scarborough and
Hargett Undertakers. The Company moved to Durham in 1900 and has been
providing services to African American families continuously for the
past 118 years. Its long- I standing motto: "A Dignified Service in a
Sympathetic Way," I epitomizes the pride felt by the Black community
when Scarborough and Hargett opened its doors. J.C. "Skeepie," III has
embraced this motto as a guiding principle in all of his professional,
business, civic, and social endeavors.
"Skeepie" Scarborough
is the son of the late John C. Scarborough, Jr., and Hattie Strong
Scarborough and the grandson of John C. Scarborough, Sr., and Daisy E.
Hargett Scarborough, the daughter of Joseph C. Hargett, co-founder of
the funeral home. J.C. "Skeepie" Scarborough, III has been an integral
part of the administration of the business his entire adult life. The
company's leaders, representing four generations, have been: J.C.
Scarborough, Sr.; J.C. Scarborough, Jr.; Mrs. Ernestine Hargett
Scarborough-Bynum (the daughter of J:C. Scarborough, Sr.); and J.C.
Scarborough, III.
J.C. "Skeepie"
Scarborough, III completed his elementary education at Whitted
Elementary School, the building which later became Hillside High School.
He attended Hillside High School for a short seven weeks and then
enrolled at Westtown Prep School, 1952-55, in Westtown, Pennsylvania, a
secondary residential school associated with Cheyney State College (now
Cheyney University) in Cheyney, Penn. Cheyney University' is the oldest
HBCU (Historically. Black Colleges and Universities) founded in 1837 by
Richard Humphrey. "Skeepie" completed his high school education in 1956,
after transferring to Palmer Memorial Institute, the historical
secondary residential school founded in 1902 by Dr. Charlotte Hawkins
Brown in Sedalia, North Carolina located in Guilford County. He began
his college education at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio (1956¬1958). He
transferred to North Carolina Central University to complete his
undergraduate education. He graduated from NCCU in 1960 with the
Bachelor of Science degree. He continued his education at Eckels College
of Mortuary Science, an affiliate branch of Temple University, from
which he graduated in 1961.
His forty-five year
tenure as an official in the family company began in 1961. He served as
Assistant Manager of the business until he became President and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of Scarborough and Hargett Funeral Home, Inc.
Memorial Chapels and Gardens. Inc., in 1972. Along the way, his vision,
leadership, and insight played a significant role in maintaining the
funeral home's reputation as a leading company in the mortuary business
at the local, state, and national levels. Beyond his involvement at the
local level, he has achieved prominence among his professional peers
having been selected as "Professional of the Year" both at the state and
national levels. He also has been elected National President of the
Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and Chairman of the
National of this professional organization :on.
J.C. Scarborough, III,
is from a long line of outstanding trailblazers and pioneers who have
served their communities with dedication and compassion. He was the
first African American to serve on the State of North Carolina Ambulance
Board. In 1968, he became the youngest individual ever elected as "Lay
Member" of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association,
Inc. Also in 1968, at the age of 30 years, he became a candidate in the
Democratic Primary for election to a seat on Durham County Board of
Commissioners.
Scarborough, III, has an exemplary record of public service, which is
reflective of his many present and former volunteer; memberships and
leadership positions on boards and associations. Some, though, not
member inclusive of all are: Board of Directors, Mechanics and Farmers
Carolina Bank; Board of Directors, St. Alumni Joseph's Heritage
Foundation; Board of Directors, Daisy E. Scarborough Homes, ' Inc.;
Executive Committee, realization Occheneechee Council, Boy Scouts of
America; Board of Directors, , WAFER Radio Station; Human Relations
Committee, Durham Chamber of Commerce; Vice Chairman, Recreation
Advisory Board, City and County of Durham; Board of Directors, , NCCU
Foundation; Advisory Board of Directors, Operation Breakthrough; Board
of Directors, ; Durham Business and Profession Chain; Board of
Directors, John Avery Boys' and Girls' Club; , Board of Directors,
Durham YMCA; Board of Directors, United Durham, Inc.; Assistant Boy
Scout Master, Troop #105; Assistant Explorer Advisor, Boy Scouts of
America, St. Joseph's AME Church; and Chairman of Junior Steward Board,
and Assistant Vice Chairman of Steward Board, St. Joseph's AME Church.
"Skeepie" Scarborough's
love and life-long commitment to his community; city, county, and state
are exemplary of his active participation in civic, fraternal and
professional organizations. He is a member of: Epsilon Nu Delta
mortuary Fraternity; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Mason Doric Lodge
#28; Durham Consistory #218; Shrine Zafa #176; 33° Masonry and Alpha Tau
Boule, Sigma Phi Pi Fraternity: He is a life member of the NAACP. He has
been a life member of the North Carolina Central University Alumni
Association since 1977.
This 2006 Honoree of
the DCABP has given unselfishly of his time and talents toward the
realization of the goals of the founding fathers of "The Durham
Committee." He has been honored on numerous occasions; yet, he has
remained a "down to earth" public servant with total respect for all
humanity. A number of the awards he has received are: the "SPIRIT OF
HAYTI" Legacy Award in 2005; the UDI Certificate Appreciation in 1998
for Devoted and Dedicated Service; the District Award of Merit for Boy
Scouts of America Inc in 2005; and the Certificate of Appreciation,
National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Durham Section in 2001-2002.
John C. "Skeepie"
Scarborough, III has been a member of St. Joseph's AME Church for sixty
AME two years. He is married to Queen Marble Bass-Scarborough and they
have two children, J.C. "Scottie" Scarborough, IV and Tonya Colleen and
three grandchildren.
John C. "Skeepie"
Scarborough, III has exhibited talents, skills, and a personality that
conveyed love, caring, grace and compassion and the Durham Committee is
proud to pay a most deserved tribute to Durham’s Native son. -
Reprinted for the Carolina Times Newspaper August 5, 2006. |
