Mr. Marshall Dean Scruggs

Marshall Dean Scruggs was born October 21, 1935 in Cliffside, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Was it a coincidence that this was the same year the famed baseball player "Dizzy Dean" was featured on the cover of Time Magazine? Maybe not as throughout his life, Dean Scruggs marked many milestones, none more special than being known as beloved husband, Daddy, Pee-Paw, and "Poppie."
An Honor student before there was such a label, Dean graduated from Cliffside High School at the age of 16 after eliminating second grade. Then as the youngest one in his class, he still earned letters in baseball, basketball, and football. After graduation, Dean did what most small-town locals did: He worked in the local Cone Mill.
By 1955, Dean knew he wanted to see more of the world and joined the US Navy before he was drafted. He attended Boot Camp at the US Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois where he earned the status of Machinist's Mate Class "A", Service School Command. From there, he was stationed in Norfolk VA and worked as a propeller machinist in the engine room aboard the USS Barton Destroyer DD722, traveling overseas, intermittently to the Middle East from the Naval home base. In 1959, Dean was Honorably Discharged after having earned the distinction as Machinist's Mate 2nd Class on June 16, 1957 and best of all, after having gained his lovely bride, Rebecca Ann Callahan, on August 31, 1958.
Young, handsome, and talented, Dean put his knowledge to use. Taking a former high school teacher's advice, he gained employment with Duke Power's Catawba Hydro Plant as a Service Technician. (This is now known as Wylie Hydro Station.) In 1963, he attended the International Correspondence School and earned certification as an Electrical Operating Engineer, Division 1. By June 1971, Dean had a wife, 2 children and a third on the way when he was promoted to become the local Area Superintendent for service technicians at all area substations working out of the Central Tie office in Central, South Carolina.
Thus, after 13 years living in Rock Hill, SC, the Scruggs family consisting of Dean, his wife Becky, daughter Kelly, sons Stephen, and Jonathan moved to Seneca, SC.
Training continued and in 1976, Dean attended the Management Development Program at Duke Power's Lake Hickory Training Center. On March 1, 1982, Dean was promoted again, this time to Area Superintendent of the Operating Department out of the Central Tie Office. He remained there until he retired in 1991 after 33 years of service.
Dean loved God, his family, and his community. Outside of work, Dean joined Trinity Baptist Church where he faithfully served as a member, handbell ringer, deacon and trustee. He also became a member of the Lion's Club where he served as President from 1999-2000. But Dean was most proud of his family. He and Becky nourished and watched their children as they graduated from Seneca High School and became adults with children of their own. "Poppie" and "Nana" were blessed with 5 grandsons and a great-grandson. From carrying bikes from one grandson's home to another's, to cooking his famous spaghetti. Dean showed his love to each in hundreds of ways. Best of all, he fervently prayed and knew God heard his prayers.
A humble, quiet, observant, intelligent and wise, family-focused man of Christian faith, Dean was loved and appreciated by all who knew him. His laugh was genuine as was his care and compassion for others. Throughout the many health challenges he faced in his later years, Dean's strong faith never failed. His life exemplied his favorite song, "It Is Well With My Soul", and his favorite KJV Bible verse, 2 Timothy 1:12 that states,
" I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!"
Dean was preceded in death by parents Thurman Roshell Scruggs and Leavy Ann Johnson Scruggs of Cliffside, NC; brother David (Rachel) of Cowpens, SC and sister Joan Scruggs Goode Mitchell of Cliffside, NC.
Dean is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Rebecca Callahan Scruggs; a daughter, Kelly Scruggs Wallace (Terry) and 2 sons, Stephen (Pamela Eanette) and Jonathan; 5 grandsons: Andrew Wallace, Garrison Scruggs, Parker Scruggs, Bryson Scruggs, and Kade Scruggs; a great-grandson, Asher Dean Scruggs; niece Robin Goode McDaniel (Gary); nephew Jamie Mitchell; and several great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at 10 am on Friday, November 1, 2024 at Trinity Baptist Church. Funeral service to follow at 11am with burial at Oconee Memorial Park in Seneca SC. The family is at the Scruggs' home. Condolences and flowers are accepted. Memorial donations may be sent to Trinity Baptist Church, 504 South Oak Street, Seneca SC 29678.