Karen J. Scruggs

May 27, 1950 - June 19, 2019

Karen J. Scruggs, age 69 years, a resident of rural Vienna, passed away Wednesday evening, June 19, 2019, at 8:45 PM at her home surrounded by members of her loving family. Karen was born May 27, 1950 in Marion, Illinois. She was the eldest of 3 children born to James L. and Joy Maxine (Cullum) Aaron. On December 23, 1980, Karen was united in marriage to Dillard O. Scruggs, Jr. in Marion, Illinois. He survives. Other survivors include: her mother – Joy Maxine Aaron of Carterville; her children – Tracey (Tony) Mathis of Metropolis and James (Becky) Hood of Ely, Iowa; 4 grandchildren – Stephanie, Rebecca, Alex and Aaron; a great grandson – Onyx; a sister – Debra Aaron (Milt) Probert of Michigan; a brother – Steven Dale (Barb Woodrome) Aaron of Herrin; a daughter-in-law – Carrie Hood of Vienna; dear and special friends – Mike & Abby Summers along with their son Sam of New Burnside; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. Karen was preceded in death by her father, James L. Aaron, and a son – Steven Hood. Karen was a 1968 graduate of Marion High School. She had worked in the family business, Angler Lure. Additionally, Karen was a very successful convenience store manager. She had managed Huck’s Convenience Stores and Casey’s General Stores through the years. Karen was also an employee of the former Vienna IGA deli as well as having worked for the Vienna Nursery. Karen was a faithful member of the Simpson Baptist Church. She was instrumental in the development and maintenance of the church website, involved in landscaping and creating and caring for the church prayer garden. Karen was very talented in graphic design and website development. She enjoyed studying genealogy and ancestries. Karen developed a large network of friends through online video gaming. She particularly enjoyed playing “Fish World” and staying connected through Facebook. A service honoring the life of Karen Scruggs was conducted Sunday afternoon, June 23, 2019, at 2 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor John Warren and Brother Philip Jones officiated. Recorded song selections shared during the funeral service included, "In The Garden," "One Day At A Time," and "Victory In Jesus." Burial was in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery, next to her beloved son, Steven Hood. Following the committal service, which was conducted by Pastor John Warren, the family participated in a butterfly release, honoring Karen's life and love of butterflies. Family and friends then gathered at the Vienna church of Christ fellowship building for a luncheon which was jointly hosted by the Vienna church of Christ and Simpson Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 12 Noon – 2 PM Sunday at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. During the visitation, a memorial pictorial and video presentation which was created by Karen's granddaughter, Stephanie, was shared. Honored to serve as pallbearers were: James Hood, Bob Futch, Steve Shoemaker, Terry Warren, Kevin Brennan, Mark Ross, Russ Hale, Travis Williams and Mike Summers. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 5 Schiber Port, Suite C, Maryville, Illinois 62062 or to the Heather Harper Treat Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, Illinois 62995.