SCRUGGS, Fairfax Harrison, 82 in age but 28 at heart, passed away in the presence of dear friends and family on Monday, January 31, 2011. Born on November 10, 1928 in Hurt, Va., Fairfax grew up amongst the southern tobacco fields with his loving parents Edward and Bertha Scruggs and 11 brothers and sisters. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947 as part of the allied occupation forces in Korea. Married just shy of 62 years, Fairfax first saw his sweetheart Eldean playing basketball at a local high school. After their $10 wedding, they took off to Chicago where Fairfax worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad for 38 years and poured his life into Skokie Valley Baptist Church and his only child, a son, Terry Harrison Scruggs. In 1986, Fairfax and Eldean returned to the south to enjoy retirement, with plans to step back from intensive church work. As Fairfax always said, "God had other plans." Fairfax soon became a deacon at Red Lane Baptist Church in Powhatan, Va. and was later name deacon emeritus after almost 20 years of dedicated service. Fairfax's life was testament of love for God, his family and his community. His storytelling, wit, giving heart and loving smile will carry on in the hearts of all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Eldean (Tucker) Scruggs; son, Terry Scruggs and his wife, Nancy; grandchildren, Sarah, Paul and Laura Scruggs; brother, Hugh Scruggs; sisters, Ruby Layne, Ruth Davis and Naomi Rice; and many loving nieces and nephews. Returning this blessed gift to God, a memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Red Lane Baptist Church (address below), with Pastors David Slayton and Bill Gohmert officiating. A luncheon will take place after the service.