‘A force’: Charlotte, county officials mourn Ella Scarborough and remember her legacy
Public officials in Charlotte on Wednesday are remembering the legacy that transcends the life of Ella Scarborough, the former Mecklenburg County commissioner who died Tuesday at the age of 75.
Scarborough, the first Black woman to run for mayor of Charlotte and the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, paved the way for many Black politicians in the city, including Mayor Vi Lyles who called her fellow South Carolina native’s death “a significant loss.”
“I met Ella when I first ran for elected office and we became friends,” Lyles said in a tweet. “We both grew up in SC and embraced Charlotte as our new home. Her death is a significant loss for the city we both came to love. My thoughts are with her children, who are as smart & dynamic as their mother.”
I met Ella when I first ran for elected office and we became friends. We both grew up in SC and embraced Charlotte as our new home. Her death is a significant loss for the city we both came to love. My thoughts are with her children, who are as smart & dynamic as their mother. pic.twitter.com/H1hpBxspB6
— Mayor Vi Lyles (@CLTMayor) May 25, 2022
County commissioner Pat Cotham called Scarborough “a trailblazer.”
“This is the beautiful face of an amazing woman and trailblazer, Commissioner Ella Scarborough,” Cotham said in a tweet. “May she Rest In Peace.”
This is the beautiful face of an amazing woman and trailblazer, Commissioner Ella Scarborough! @MeckCounty May she Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/ScL7rovI7F
— Pat Cotham (@PatCothamMeck) May 25, 2022
County commissioner Leigh Altman said Scarborough’s “warmth ... tenacity ... trailblazing ... and lifetime of service” inspired her.
“I pray for comfort and consolation for her family in this time of grief,” Altman said in a tweet. “May her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.”
Mecklenburg District Attorney Spencer Merriweather and his office said “hearts are heavy today” following Scarborough’s passing and the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 21 people — including 19 children.
“Yet, hope must endure,” Merriweather’s office said in a Facebook post. “May we allow ourselves to be propelled to action by these losses and to stand up for safety and justice for all people.”
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, a Charlotte Democrat, called Scarborough an “extraordinary public servant who loved her God” and “her constituents” all while serving the community and state “admirably for decades.”
“I considered her a friend and sister in the struggle for human and civil rights,” Adams said in a statement. “She did for others and was always on the right side of the issues. Our community will miss her sweet spirit and charming personality. We are all better because of the life she lived and shared with so many.”
I am so sorry to hear of Commissioner Scarborough’s passing. She was an extraordinary public servant who loved her God, her constituents and served our community and state admirably for decades.
My prayers and thoughts will continue to be with her family. pic.twitter.com/GFNSgNSB0J— Rep. Alma Adams (@RepAdams) May 25, 2022
In a statement, Mecklenburg County officials called Scarborough “a pillar” in the community.
“Working with Commissioner Scarborough ... opened my eyes to new perspectives on how to help our community,” County Manager Dena Diorio said in the statement. “She had a boundless desire to serve, demonstrated every day since childhood by her commitment to neighbors and fellow residents, especially communities of color and women.”
County board Chairman George Dunlap said Scarborough’s “passion was limitless and her loss is immeasurable.”
“Our prayers go out to her family, friends and the entire Mecklenburg County community that is a better place today due to her dedication,” he said.
Laura Meier, county commissioner for District 5, called Scarborough “a force.”
“Trailblazer, public servant, dedicated, a force, legend — all words that describe Commissioner Ella Scarborough,” Meier said in a tweet. “Much love to her family. May she Rest In Peace.”
Mark Jerrell, county commissioner for District 4, said he was “heartbroken” over Scarborough’s death and credited her for paving the way for him to serve.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants!” Jerrell tweeted.
I am heartbroken to learn about the passing of a trailblazer, amazing leader, public servant & colleague, Ella Scarborough. She paved the way for me to serve & I am forever grateful! I stand on the shoulders of giants! pic.twitter.com/depQbSTPw0
— Mark Jerrell - Mecklenburg County Commissioner D4 (@hipolitix) May 25, 2022
Victoria Watlington, City Council member representing District 3, said Scarborough began her “history making tenure” on the council in 1987 — her birth year.
“We are now poised to elect six Black women to the same body,” Watlington said in a tweet. “We honor her legacy today.”
The Honorable Ella Scarborough began her history making tenure on @CLTCityCouncil the year I was born. We are now poised to elect six Black women to the same body. We honor her legacy today. #RIP pic.twitter.com/lEyD8Tiz5b
— Victoria Watlington (@Watlington4CLT) May 25, 2022
Former N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, who defeated Scarborough in the 2001 race for mayor, said her ”energy, laughter, courage, and especially her soul will truly be missed.”
“Although we were often political adversaries and opponents, one could never question Ella Scarborough’s commitment to public service and her love for our community,” McCrory said in a tweet. “It was an honor to serve with her.”
Although we were often political adversaries and opponents, one could never question Ella Scarborough's commitment to public service and her love for our community. Her energy, laughter, courage, and especially her "soul" will truly be missed. It was an honor to serve with her.
— Pat McCrory (@PatMcCroryNC) May 25, 2022