May 20, 1932 -October 27, 2020
Virginia Jo Scarborough, Ginger, was born in Ashland, Kentucky, just across the border of West Virginia, where her grandparents lived until their death. Her parents, Marvin and Anna Mae Campbell, moved to Galena Park, Texas, in 1941, when Marvin was transferred to become the General Foreman of Sheffield Steel Mill in Greens Bayou, TX. At 16 years of age, she met and fell in love with Billy Jack Scarborough, fresh back from the Korean War where he served in the Army. With her parent’s approval, they were married on January 14, 1949. Fourteen months later at age 17 she was a mother. Richard Wayne came in March of 1950 followed by Kathryn Anne 5 years later.
She devoted her life to her family. Her house was always the “hangout” for the kids of the neighborhood because everyone loved her, and she made great banana pudding and chocolate chip cookies. She made her home, whether a tiny 800 square foot rental house, or later, a 1200 square foot, three-bedroom, one bath, home in Jacinto City, a warm inviting place.
Ginger Scarborough made her mark in the world by giving her life away. First to her husband, then to her children and their families and always to her church and friends. It never occurred to her that she was deprived of a career and personal achievements because she dropped out of school and got married so young. Her satisfaction was seeing all around her succeed. And once the children were reared, she went to work in the accounting department of Stewart and Stevenson where she demonstrated great skill.
She was the first one in her family to go to church regularly. When her children were just toddlers, she managed to get them all to the closest church, though her husband had no interest in going. In time she and her children were saved and baptized, but Mr. Scarborough resisted her invitations to attend church. He, like his father in law, devoted his life to the Steel mill where he worked for 37 years.
Due to the example and prayers of Ginger Scarborough, in time, every member of her family came to a deep and abiding faith. After 23 years of prayers and example, Billy Scarborough was gloriously saved, and they walked together in their faith for the remainder of both of their lives.
Ginger Scarborough is now reaping the rewards of her faithful life. Every member of her family, one by one as years go by, are departing this life with its daily challenges, and gathering on the other side with their Savior, Jesus Christ.
When she died on Tuesday, everyone who knew her was filled with sorrow and joy. Sorrow because we will miss her warmth and unfailing love; her sarcasm and humor; her smile and her gentle kiss; her encouragement and unconditional love. But we are joyful too, because we knew how much she missed her life-mate and longed to be with him and now she is there.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Anne Campbell, her Sister Patty Wells, and her Brother in law, Louis Pafford. She is survived by her sister, Sherry Pafford, her children and their spouses, Rick and Tommye Scarborough and Kathy and Tommy Koontz and four grandchildren, eight great grand-children, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she cherished.
The family will receive friends, Friday, October 30, 2020, from 1:00PM until 2:00PM, with a funeral service starting at 2:00PM, Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel. Interment will follow at Martinsville Cemetery.
