Mabel Ellison Scoggins

Mabel Constance Ellison Scoggins passed away peacefully on August 15, 2021, at the age of 102 in Woodbridge, VA.  On January 16, 1919, she was one of twin daughters born to Dr. John Malcus Ellison and his wife, Mabel Constance McWilliams at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, D.C.   Only eight days after birth, her mother contracted and died from the Spanish flu leaving Mabel, and her twin sister, Geraldine to be raised by their father, their grandmother, Mary McWilliams and their aunt, Geraldine King.  Several years later, her father remarried and her brother, Dr. John Malcus Ellison, Jr. was born.  Mabel was pre-deceased by her twin sister and her brother. 

Mabel was educated in Chesterfield, VA and Washington, D.C. where she graduated from Dunbar High School.  After graduating from Dunbar, Mabel spent two years at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI and later attended and acquired a B. S. Degree in Home Economics from Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL.  Several months after graduation, she taught briefly at Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth (now Jennie Dean Elementary School), and then taught briefly in Birmingham, AL.  

While at Tuskegee Institute she met Hugh M. Scoggins, II from Tulsa, OK.  On December 25, 1942, they were united in holy matrimony in a ceremony that was officiated by her father which took place in the presidential mansion at Virginia Union University where Dr. Ellison served as its first Black President.

Mabel gave birth in 1944 to Hugh M. Scoggins, III and to Donald Ellison Scoggins fifteen months later after she relocated to Philadelphia, PA.  She went on to teach Home Economics at night school in Philadelphia and substitute teach at several other schools in the city.  Mabel ultimately taught fulltime at Camden (NJ) Junior High School.  And, later taught at Camden High School, where she retired in 1984.      

Quite passionate about her two sons, Mabel also just loved her home and was an ardent housekeeper. Her home décor was as though it was being featured in a magazine.  She never allowed home repairs to go unattended.  Almost daily Mabel talked with Geraldine, her twin living in Detroit, she called “sister”.    

Mabel is survived by her sons, Hugh III and Donald (Gurmeet); five grandchildren, Michelle R. Scoggins, Keisha M. Smith, Donald E. Scoggins, Jr., Vikramjit S. Scoggins, and Hugh M. Scoggins, IV; one great grandson, Shayne St. Augustine; two nieces; one nephew and five cousins.

A private memorial service will take place on September 15, 2021, at 2 pm, at Harbour Grill, 13188 Marina Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191.