RINCON —  Kathleen E. Scruggs was a candle for literacy, senior citizens and civil rights that burned brightly for more than a century.

Scruggs, who died July 21, 2013, drew praise  for her efforts from state dignitaries when she reached her 100th birthday.

“You’ve witnessed many of our nation’s greatest achievements and your story represents an important part of our history,”  said John Barrow, the District 12 congressman at the time, said in a letter dated March 9, 2011. “Thank you for being an active role model for many young people in your family and in the extended family that we call community. Your contributions to this community will endure through generations.”

Gov. Nathan Deal, state Sen. Jack Hill, state Rep. Jon Burns and the Effingham County Board of Commissioners also sent letters to honor Scruggs. In his submission, Burns made  a special mention of her work with senior citizens.

Scruggs teamed with Beth Findley, the wife of Sheriff Van Findley, to help form the Effingham County Senior Citizens Center in Springfield. She was also a delegate to White House Conference on Aging in 1981.

A Glennville native, Scruggs spent most of her early years in Savannah. She attended Savannah State College, North Carolina College, Fisk University, Simmons College, Drexel Institute, Atlanta University and the University of Georgia.

Scruggs, who eventually settled in Clyo with her husband, Robbie, was a staunch proponent of literacy. She worked as an educator in Effingham, Chatham and Screven counties for more than 40 years

“She stressed reading,” said Lucy Powell, a civic-minded Effingham County resident. “She’d say, ‘Read your almanac. Just read. Read something.”

Determined to make a difference in as many lives as possible, Scruggs got talking books for the blind, aged and handicapped in Effingham and Chatham counties.

Scruggs was a Department of Family and Children’s Services volunteer and the first black woman to serve as chairman of the Coastal Area Planning and Development Commission.

She remained passionate about civil rights and voting throughout her life. She served as secretary of the Effingham County Branch of the NAACP from 1970-85 and led numerous voter registration drives.

“Harriet Tubman — that’s what we called her,” Powell said. “I was never one of her students but she was like my mentor in community activities.”

Scruggs worked diligently for her pet causes until her death.

“She promoted people to take part in what was being offered in the community,” Powell said.