Durham Business Icon John Clarence “Skeepie” Scarborough, Ill Passes

Durham, NC – John Clarence “Skeepie” Scarborough, Ill passed early Sunday morning, November 8, 2020. “Skeepie” Scarborough is a native of Durham, North Carolina. He was 82 years of age and is the fourth generation member of the Scarborough family to lead the legendary Scarborough and Hargett Funeral Home, according to the company’s website. 

Scarborough is married to Queen Marble Bass-Scarborough and they have two children, J.C. “Scottie” Scarborough, IV and Tonya Colleen, and three grandchildren. “Skeepie,” as he is affectionately known, has been a member of St. Joseph’s AME Church for sixty AME two years. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. 

“Skeepie” Scarborough 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, according to the company’s website. 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’s father-in-law formed a partnership with John Clarence Scarborough, Sr.’s 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-standing motto: “A Dignified Service in a Sympathetic Way,” 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. He transferred to North Carolina Central University to complete his undergraduate education. He graduated from NCCU in 1960 with a 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 plus 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 n.

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, WAFR 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.

The Company moved to Durham in 1900 and has been providing services to African American families continuously for the past 118 years. Its long-standing motto: “A Dignified Service in a Sympathetic Way,” 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.