Elaine R. Scarbrough

Elaine Ruth Scarbrough, 92, of Lake Forest, California, peacefully went to the arms of Jesus Christ; surrounded by many loved ones on July 14, 2021, after her brave battle of chronic kidney disease.

Elaine was born on December 5, 1928, to James Harvey Jennings and Milton, aka Millie (Walker) Jennings in Kirkland, Missouri. She met the only love of her life, Sam Scarbrough, in Kansas City, Missouri. They married in December 1947. After having their second child of nine, they moved to the Los Angeles, California area in 1952. After a few years they settled in Garden Grove, California.

Elaine retired with her husband in 1990 after 11 years of service with the County of Orange as a library technician. They moved from Garden Grove to San Marcos, California, where they both enjoyed active lives. She and her husband were parishioners at Saint Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in San Marcos. Elaine was a member of the Ladies of Saint Mark’s church group. She also volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels and was the librarian for her retirement communities’ library. Several years later after her husband’s death she moved to Lake Forest, California, to be closer to her children where she remained until her passing.

Elaine was a dedicated, loving and fantastic mother with a sly sense of humor. She had many interests and hobbies. She loved thrifting and going to estate sales. She was an avid reader and loved playing cards with her friends. She enjoyed collecting and putting together vintage jigsaw wooden puzzles. Elaine’s favorite times were when all of her family gathered along with her to celebrate life together.

Elaine was preceded in death by husband, Sam; sons, Sammy, Steve and Michael; brother James Harvey Jennings, Jr. She is survived by daughters, JoAnn Scarbrough (Keith); Carolyn James (Don); Sally Duncan (Ron); Julie Cooper (Don); and sons, Tom Scarbrough (Kim); Joe Scarbrough (Karen); daughter-in-law LaVonne Scarbrough; along with 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; brother Bob Jennings (Fleta) of Wichita, Kansas and their children and grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Heber and many nieces and nephews and their children in Arkansas.

A private gravesite ceremony will be at the San Marcos Cemetery, San Marcos, California, and followed by a Celebration of Life in November 2021.

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