Suzanne Hamilton Scruggs

Suzanne (Susie) Hamilton Scruggs, 90, of Austin, Texas, a dedicated mother, lifelong volunteer and small business owner in the Austin community, died peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Seton Hospital of complications following a heart procedure. Susie was born March 20, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the only daughter of Thomas and Margaret Hamilton. Both of her older brothers, Tom (deceased) and Dick Hamilton, served with distinction in the Navy during World War II. After the war, Susie attended Stephen's College in Springfield Missouri, earning a degree in communications. After moving back to Pittsburgh, she was introduced by a family friend to the love of her life, Leonard Coe Scruggs, of Mineral Wells, Texas. After a long courtship and multiple proposals from Coe, Susie bought a one-way ticket to Coe’s home in Austin, hoping marriage was the ultimate destination. Soon thereafter, the two were married in Carmel, California and enjoyed an extended honeymoon in Mexico.

Many moves and three children followed over the next 10 years, as Coe pursued his career from American General Insurance in Houston to New York City, where he founded his own brokerage, Scruggs and Co. His untimely death in 1970 left Susie facing the daunting task of being a single mother and grieving widow. Her courage and determination to rise to these challenges was evident to all from the start. Formal in her manners and a stickler for social protocol, she was quite capable and willing to be as blunt as needed to cut through the social norms of the time. Susie was a leader in the Junior League in Houston, New York and Austin, a volunteer for many charities around Austin, an active member of the parent's group at St. Stephen’s School and a member of Tarry House. She somehow found time to own and operate a beloved Austin gift store, Higginbottom’s, for 15 years. She then worked for St. David’s Episcopal Church for another 7 years before retiring, as her 10 grandchildren began to arrive and demand more attention from “Bubbie”, her final and most rewarding role in life. Hers was a full life, with its share of heartbreak and achievement, that will inspire us all for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace, Mamacita, and rejoice in your long-delayed reunion with your beloved.

Susie is survived by her son Stewart Scruggs and his wife Abigail of Austin, son Jules Scruggs and his wife Katy of Austin, daughter Suzanne Nordwind and her husband Will of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren Coe, Patrick, Rachel, Sydney, Jackson, and Jordan Scruggs, Ellie and Hamilton Nordwind, Reed Wells and his wife Casey, and Rebecca Wells; brother Richard Hamilton and his family of Pittsburgh, PA; and sister-in-law Dale Hamilton of Hilton Head, SC. On Saturday, August 5, 2023, a private burial will be followed by a 3:00 pm memorial service at Weed-Corley-Fish funeral home, 5416 Parkcrest Dr., and a reception at Wink Restaurant. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to safeaustin.org or settlementhome.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Scruggs family.