A celebration of Reverend Walter's life will occur on
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Lying in State
Memorial Gospel Crusades Church
6224 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19139
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Service will be held on
Monday, August 29, 2022
Vine Memorial Baptist Church
5600 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa. 19131
Viewing: 9:00 -11:00 a.m.
Service: 11:00 a.m.
Life Story
REVEREND WALTER WADE SCRUGGS was born July 13, 1932, in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, and was the only child to the late Vanantral Jones Scruggs and Walter
Scruggs. Walter Wade Scruggs met, fell in love and married Anna Mae Pierce. After being
inducted into the Fraternity, KAPPA ALPHA PSI, in 1953 at Cheyney University, he gave his
diamond pin to his fiancé, Anna, to signify his love. They were able to celebrate 63 years of
marriage in December 2017. This union was blessed with one son and three daughters:
William Marcus, Patricia Ann, Beverly Ann and Wanda Anita. The love of his life, Anna
Scruggs, preceded him in death on March 26, 2018.
Reverend Scruggs’ love for family came from his childhood challenges that began at age
two after his mother died in 1934. Often, he divulged of being bounced around from home to
home, facing abuse but becoming self-reliant. His early life experiences and his personal
relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ led him to be the person that everyone sought after
when faced with life challenges. Reverend Scruggs was there spiritually, physically and
financially to support his family, friends and his congregation in any way possible. His home
was open to those who needed a second chance in life. Reverend Scruggs truly believed in
the words of Christ Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
LOVE FOR EDUCATION & CAREER
Reverend Walter W. Scruggs received his formal education from the Philadelphia Public
School System, graduating from Overbrook High School in 1950. As a young man, he was
very active on the track and cross-country team at Overbrook High School. In addition, he
continued to run track at Cheyney University. Before entering higher education, Reverend
Scruggs worked at several jobs including the Pharmaceutical Warehouse, the Veterans
Administration and the United States Postal Service in order to finance his education. He
entered Cheyney University in 1952 and majored in Elementary Education. In 1953, he was
furthered inspired and was inducted into the KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity. After two years of
college, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served as a Military Policeman.
In 1956, he was honorably discharged and returned to Philadelphia to continue his education
at Cheyney University. Reverend Scruggs received his Bachelor of Science Degree in
Education in 1958 and his Masters in Education in 1972. His Post Graduate studies at
University of Pennsylvania and Cheyney University earned him the recognition in the positions
of Elementary Teacher, Vice Principal and Secondary Principal. Reverend Scruggs retired in
1993 after working 35 years for the School District of Philadelphia.
Reverend Scruggs love for education led him to be a life-long learner and to receive
multiple certificates, acknowledgements and awards. In addition, Reverend Walter W. Scruggs
received several Citations from the City of Philadelphia Honoring him for being a Veteran
Educator and Administrator dedicated to enhancing the lives of students, teachers and staff.
Together, Reverend and Sis. Scruggs not only paid for their children’s college education but
financially assisted in the education of grandchildren, great grandchildren and other family
members as well. If you were going to college, they would find the resources you needed for
completion.
LOVE FOR MINISTRY
Elder Walter W. Scruggs became a born-again Christian on July 1, 1957 and joined
Philadelphia Revival Temple Pentecostal Church. It was there that he organized and led the
first Sunday School Department. Later, he was ordained as an Elder in 1964 and became
Acting Pastor in 1967-1968. His Radio Ministry started in 1971 and continued until 2019. In
1972, he organized, incorporated and Pastored Memorial Gospel Crusades Church in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Weekly, Reverend Scruggs taught Bible Study at church and in
several Bible schools over the years. Also, he ministered as a pianist and an organist for
choirs and soloist throughout the years. Under Pastor Scruggs’ Leadership, Memorial Gospel
Crusades Church has had an ongoing ministry with one purpose in mind that is to lift up the
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and win souls through the power of the Holy Spirit. The
Christian Education Ministry along with the various other ministries have been faithful in
keeping the vision. Memorial Gospel Crusades Church ministry has included an overnight
annual camping ministry for the youth at Camp Men-O-Lan; Vacation Bible School for Youth &
Adults; a Weekly Radio Ministry; a Nursing Home Ministry; a Women’s and a Men’s Ministry
with retreats and seminars; an Outreach Ministry for Substance Use Disorders (SUD); A
Praise Dance Ministry; and the Music Ministry, just to name a few. Pastor Scruggs has
ordained qualified Elders, Ministers, Evangelists, Deacons, Missionaries and installed faithful
Trustees down through the years. Pastor Scruggs was an excellent writer who penned weekly
inspirational messages that appeared in the church bulletin each Sunday entitled, “From The
Pastor’s Desk, a Message to the Church.” He endeavored to be true to God without fanfare or
worldly acclamation. Pastor Scruggs believed in the power of the Gospel of Christ to change
the lives of men, women, boys and girls. Pastor Scruggs’ standard was holiness before the
Lord because of God’s faithfulness to us. Pastor Scruggs has been the recipient of numerous
ministerial and community awards. In February 2018, Elder Walter W. Scruggs, installed his
youngest daughter, the Reverend Dr. Wanda A. Allen, as Pastor of Memorial Gospel
Crusades Church as he joyfully and faithfully continued to serve as Founding Pastor.
ELDER WALTER W. SCRUGGS WILL BE MISSED!
On Thursday morning, August 18, 2022, Reverend Walter W. Scruggs heard the trumpet
sound and peacefully slipped into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He leaves to cherish his memory: four children, William M. Scruggs (Jan Ellis); Patricia Scruggs
Powell, Beverly A. Lloyd (Fredrick) and Wanda A. Allen, (James); three grandchildren, William
M. Scruggs, Jr., Christopher Scruggs (Dawn), and Fredrick Lloyd II (Kayla); four great-
grandchildren, William Marcus Scruggs III, Taylor Scruggs, Mia Scruggs, Christopher Scruggs
Jr. and Oliva Lloyd; devoted family members and friends, Deborah Coleman, Gussie Johnson,
Andrea Boone, Atiya Pendleton and Katrina Askew; God-child, Amy Foster; and a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the congregation of Memorial Gospel Crusades Church
whom he deeply loved and served.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family
Have the florist deliver
your selection
to the Church no
later than 8:30 a.m.
the day of the service.
DUE TO A GLITCH IN OUR SYSTEM
PLEASE DISREGARD THE FOLLOWING
NOTATION REGARDING ANY ORDERS
INCLUDING FLOWERS, CANDLES OR
MEMORIAL TREE PLANTINGS
WITH THE TRIBUTE STORE!!!!
THANK YOU!!
