Ella Olivia (Butler) Scarborough

Charlotte, NC – The family of Mecklenburg County Commissioner Ella Scarborough has announced that she has passed away. She was 75 years old.

A pioneer in North Carolina politics, Scarborough made history throughout her career. In 1987, she became the first African American woman elected to Charlotte city council, representing District 3 before being elected at-large in 1993.

She was the first black woman to run for mayor of Charlotte and United States Senate in North Carolina, blazing the trail for so many others, including Mayor Vi Lyles and Democratic nominee for Senate Cheri Beasley.

In 2014, Scarborough was elected to serve on the Mecklenburg County Commission. In 2016, she was elected chair of the board, again making history as the first black woman to serve in this position.

Scarborough was a native of Sumter, South Carolina, before moving to Charlotte in 1971. She was a proud alum of South Carolina State University and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. A woman of faith, she was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte.

She is survived by her two children, Troy and Tori, her siblings, Floydetta and Norman, and her many nieces and nephews.

You can view the live stream of the funeral service at http://friendshipcharlotte.online.church

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