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A community grieves when a person who has touched so many lives passes away. Such is the case of Mary Scales who died Sunday after a long-fought battle with cancer.
Visitation 11:00AM-1:00PM Saturday
Funeral services will be at 1:00 o'clock this coming Saturday afternoon, October 12th, at New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 North Thompson Lane. The visitation with the family is from 11:00 until the time for the service. Scales and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The Service of Committal and Intermentwill follow the service on Saturday. This will be in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Lie-In State: Noon-6:00PM Friday at Scales & Sons
The body will lie in state at Scales & Sons Funeral Home at 314 East State Street from noon to 6:00PM on Friday, October 11th.
A Life of Helping Others
Since Mary was a nurturer, everyone saw her differently. That is because she devoted her life to helping others. Her responses to them mirrored their needs. Even near the end of her life on earth, when Mary was often weak and in pain--as someone arrived to visit, she would suddenly flip an internal switch and blossom into the sparkling Mary Scales everyone knew.
Here now are comments from some of the people in our community (listed in alphabetical order).
Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg
Juvenile Court Judge Donna Scott Davenport
My heart is so heavy learning of the passing of Mrs. Mary Scales. She was a pioneer for so many! She was so supportive of me when I began the journey of being the first female Judge in Rutherford County of the first independent Juvenile Court. She shared my vision of the importance of education and family involvement with our children. I will miss her guidance and her sweet, sweet spirit! I send prayers of support to her family.
Murfreesboro City Schools Director Linda Gilbert
There are no phrases complete enough or words prominent enough to merit the excellence, grace, integrity, and impact of Mary Scales. She defied definition, defied comparison. There was nothing typical about her. She was a person in whom talents, intelligence, and the experiences of life combined to make her unique among us.
She was first on so many scenes—the School Board, City Council, MTSU—breaking barriers, helping children, setting the standard for all of us. No question that she had her difficulties. The loss of a beloved partner in life whom she walked beside through personal and professional crusades, the illnesses, the walls of prejudice and bigotry. They must have pulled mightily at her; but she was tough, and she remained.
She created other leaders everywhere she walked—in family, community, and nation. Every day, her influence was felt in our lives as she visited children at a school that bears her name, headed up a scholarship fund for college-bound students, taught hundreds of children, or comforted the bereaved.
She set her goals and went about achieving them. She knew the ropes. She didn’t have to be invasive or in-your-face. When she walked into a room, you knew she was there. Her stature permeated everyone and everything. Her reputation preceded her. She could not be ignored. She was filled with elegant, upright, orderly strength. When she touched your life, you were forever changed. And those of us who had the honor of knowing her are evidence of that truth.
Former State Representative John Hood
“Mrs. Mary Scales was truly a community treasure, a tremendous advocate for education and a cherished member of the MTSU community. She was also a dear friend to me and my wife, Elizabeth, who worked closely with her over the years as Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters as well as avid supporters of local schools.
“Mrs. Scales was a trailblazer on the MTSU campus during her tenure within the College of Education, becoming the university’s first black faculty member and lending her voice within the wider community as a strong advocate of civil rights for all.
“Her passion for properly educating the future generations was unparalleled and the legacy she leaves shines as bright as that wonderful smile that met everyone who had the privilege of crossing her path.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Scales family during this time.”
City Councilman Ron Washington
The total Rutherford/Murfreesboro community lost a gem over the weekend with the passing of Mrs. Mary C. Scales. Mrs. Scales and her family have signified dignity , community service, and leadership through their funeral business and personal accomplishments. God gives us all gifts but he picks out some individuals and provides them with much extra and Mrs. Scales was certainly one of them. My families prayers and the total community prayers are with the family and their support group during these difficult times.
To learn more about Mary Scales CLICK HERE for the Sunday morning article about her life.
