Originally published in 1999
Lydia Faye Scarborough
Former Acting Director of the Aviation Division,
Texas Department of Transportation
Lydia Faye Scarborough, age 61, of Austin, died on Tuesday, April 20, 1999. “Cotton”, as she was known by close friends, was fiercely independent from an early age; and grew up in Harper, a typical small Texas town. She blazed a trail from a small town to the “big city,” starting from the bottom up to heading a state agency, and then, on to “better things” as she was known to say, owning a successful all-woman-owned airport contracting company. Thirty-seven years devoted to the State of Texas … that is achievement! Her accomplishments were achieved during a time when career opportunities were limited for women! Lydia did it all through brains, brawn and personality. Yes, she gave a generous amount of credit to her friend, partner and husband, Joe Mack Scarborough, who allowed her to stretch her “wings” toward a limitless horizon. We will miss her contagious laughter, her sense of style and fashion, and her fairness to all who knew her. Certainly, that bounce in her step and that quick smile always seemed to make one’s day in this space called “the workplace.” We, aviation people and her co-pilots, will now gently whisper to all that “Lydia has gone West” . . .