Miriam Wallace Scarborough

Miriam Wallace Scarborough, “Monkey” or "Mimi” to her family died Thursday, November 12, 2015 in Gulfport at the age of 98. Miriam was born in Biloxi on December 7, 1916 to Dr. George W. Wallace and Lillian Hewitt Wallace. Miriam was preceded in passing by her husband of 68 years, G.W. Scarborough; her parents; and her brothers, Hewitt Wallace and George Wallace, Jr. Miriam was raised on East Beach Blvd., Biloxi. She graduated from Biloxi High, attended the University of Mississippi and graduated with a B.A. Degree. She then entered a two year medical school and received a medical certificate. After graduation she assisted her father in his doctor’s office with lab and office duties. Later she became a registered medical technologist and attended LSU to become a microbiologist. Her career continued and on July of 1945 she started work at the Veterans Administration Hospital Biloxi as a laboratory technician. Miriam was supervisor and became a registered medical technologist as a Microbiologist. She retired after thirty years in 1975. Miriam married the love of her life, G.W. Scarborough, on January 22, 1940 at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. They were married 68 years until his death on February 17, 2008. Miriam was a charter member of Chapter E PEO, founded April 8, 1948. She served as State President in 1970. A’ MSS’, scholarship was established in her honor. The Miriam Scarborough Scholarship is awarded to deserving young women to further their education. Miriam was a member of many organizations, Eastern Star, NARF and First United Methodist Church on Hopkins Blvd. Miriam taught Sunday school and VBS at First Church for 60 years, giving many young members a foundation in faith. Miriam served as Sunday school superintendent and Vacation Bible School director. She served as President, Vice-President and Secretary for the United Methodist Women and a member of the Ethel Lowd Group. She served on the Board of Stewards, Council on Ministries and volunteered a half day weekly in the church office. Miriam was a generous giving person, supporting many groups with generous donations. Miriam is survived by her sister, Mary Wallace Boles (Dovel); a special nephew, Michael Scarborough; and special cousins, Wallace Ann Austin and Susan Austin Coulange (Henrie, Rebecca and Danny Wolf). She will be sorely missed by her many nieces and nephews, Jennifer Boles, Dr. Nathan Boles (Mandy, British and Bruce), Karen Scarborough Ward (Jim and Ashley), Brian Scarborough (Shelley, Arley and Orrin), Carrilu Scarborough Britt (B.J. , Austin and David), Patricia Scarborough Patton (Buddy, Christopher and Andrew), Sidney Scarborough (Marsha, Hanna and Jacob), Bradley Scarborough and M’Lou Austin Rossie (Paul, Heather and Amber; and her very special personal assistant, Zera Gordon. The family would like to give special recognition to the staff of Gulfport Memorial Hospital, Dr. Nathan Boles, Greenbrier and Brookdale for their loving care given to Miriam. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Miriam Scarborough Scholarship fund at 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312 or to the building fund of Cedar Lake United Methodist Church at 12332 Cedar Lake Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532. Funeral Services will be held at Cedar Lake United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 8:30 am. Friends may visit from 8:00 am until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.