HATTIE SCARBOROUGH • 1946 - 2021

City of Sumter’s 1st Black councilwoman remembered for work in South Sumter

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On April 29, Sumter lost one of its own, a woman who was not only the first Black councilwoman on Sumter City Council, but also a South Sumter representative who helped develop the area to become what it is today.

Hattie Scarborough was born June 19, 1946, in Lee County and called Sumter home since 1955.

Many remember her as an educator in Bishopville for more than 30 years, but most also remember her serving Ward 3 from 1987 to 2010.

"Oh, sister Scarborough. What a great lady," former Mayor Steve Creech said. "She was forward thinking. I was a mayor from '88 to 2000. In my 12 years, we never had a vote along racial lines. She could see what was good for the community. She advocated for her ward, but she also had the vision to see what was good for the overall community."

Scarborough, along with the Rev. Willie Randolph and Willie Singleton, were the city's first Black members elected to Sumter City Council in 1987.

Creech knew Scarborough as the sweetest woman, who was not only the first Black councilwoman to serve the city, but was also a great leader who helped develop the South Sumter area.

"She was ahead of her time," he said. "She was very progressive."

Former City Manager Talmadge Tobias worked with Scarborough for about 20 years and claimed her to be a force of nature in proving a woman could do a man's job.

"She was the only lady on city council for a long time with six men. She kept those guys straight," Tobias said, laughing. "She was a well-respected public servant who represented her district very well and was liked by all."

Tobias remembered Scarborough as the council member who seconded the motion to hire him with the City of Sumter in 1990.

"She means even more to me because she and Rev. Randolph were the two individuals that nominated and seconded me to be city manager," Tobias said. "To tell you I'm indebted to her, I am indebted to her for that."

Tobias claimed that if everyone in the world could be more like Scarborough, it would be a better place, especially when it came to being a leader.

"Ms. Scarborough was always very pleasant to work with. She represented her district very, very well," he said. "She was going to let you know that she expected her area to be served just like every other area in this community. She was involved in a lot of things to improve the entire South Sumter area."

Tobias said of her many accomplishments, Scarborough was the backbone in developing the area HOPE Centers, Aquatic Center, South Sumter Gym, South Sumter Resource Center, the James E. Clyburn Intermodal Transportation Center and much more unseen on the surface.

She was even elected to serve as mayor pro tempore in her final years as a Ward 3 representative.

"She worked to improve the area that she represented. There's no doubt about that," Tobias said. "She was not someone that idly sat by. She brought the needs of her constituents to the forefront."

Although she is remembered as a local government leader, Scarborough was also a friend to all, but none as dear as Mary Hallums, a former business partner of Scarborough's at Sumter Funeral Service Inc.

"I remember her, believe it or not, from high school," Hallums said. "She and my brother were classmates."

However, Hallums and Scarborough didn't become the close friends they were until later on in life, when Hallums served as director of the teacher incentive program for 10 school districts, one of which was in Lee County.

Following Scarborough's career as an educator, the two joined forces along with others to co-found, manage and direct Sumter Funeral Service Inc.

For 30 to 40 years, Hallums grew close to Scarborough, but she said it was rare to spot the two together in public. They were more like sisters with a personal bond rather than everyday friends.

"When we had an issue or a problem, we always communicated with each other. It was a very private friendship," Hallums said. "Not always in my face or around me, but knowing that I could always depend on her, and when she was sick, I played that role for her also."

Several months before Scarborough died, she asked Hallums to help organize her funeral service because she knew she was the woman who could organize it with perfection.

"I did it," Hallums said. "Her daughter and I planned her services."

During that time, Scarborough's daughter, Robin, and Hallums would laugh about old times, reminiscing about their loved one. Hallums even learned something new about her longtime friend.

"I didn't realize that I was the one who gave her the name of Mossy because she was always so slow," Hallums said, laughing. "I would tell her, 'You just act like some moss or something.' Very slow in movements, taking her time. She wasn't going to rush with anything, but she delivered in a manner that you know that she had touched it."