 Robert Scales graduated from Holloway High School, in Murfreesboro.Scales enrolled at Tennessee State University, received his bachelor's degree from that institution, and went on to work in the family business, Scales & Son Funeral Home, eventually owning and running the business.In addition to managing the small business, Scales went on to serve as the first African-American elected to the Murfreesboro City Council (serving 21 years), and as the first African-American Vice-Mayor of the city (serving 8 of those years).