Rev. Allen Scott

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 5, 2007

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7-8

WOODVILLE — Services for the Rev. Allen Scott, 97, of Woodville, who died Thursday, March 29, 2007, at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Mid City, after a brief illness, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at King Emanuel Baptist Church with the Rev. Roosevelt Henley officiating.

Burial will follow at East Cedar Rest Cemetery, in Woodville, under the direction of Rollins Funeral Home, Woodville.

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Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Rev. Scott was born July 16, 1909, in the Fountain Bleau community of Woodville, the son of Pat and Cecelia Maiden Scott. He was the oldest son and the second of six children. Rev. Scott attended the Fountain Bleau Public School. Despite a lack of funds, clothing, or transportation, he, with God’s help and a zeal to study the Word of God, successfully completed the course of study required to obtain his ministerial license from Natchez Junior College. He was ordained in the ministry on Sunday, Feb. 23, 1947, under the leadership of the Rev. W. M. Wells at King Emanual Baptist Church.

Rev. Scott often recounted the dream in which God showed him as the captain of eight ships. This dream was fulfilled, as he was elected to pastor a total of eight churches in Woodville, seven in Wilkinson County and one in Weyanoke, La., spanning a period of 60 years as a pastor. He was the pastor of New Irondale Baptist Church, Weyanoke, 60 years; King Solomon Baptist Church, Pond-Pinckneyville, 59 years; Zion Hill Baptist Church No. 2, Fort Adams, 59 years; Rose Hill Baptist Church, Doloroso, 59 years; St. Matthew Baptist Church No. 2, Woodstock, Pond-Pinckneyville, 55 years; Kingsford Baptist Church, Lanehart Community, Woodville, 51 years; Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Donegal Community, Woodville, 47 years; and Chapel Baptist Church, Donegal Community, Woodville, 37 years.

Rev. Scott also served as president of the Wilkinson County A.M.B. Association for 47 years. He was a member of the Fort Adams Masonic Lodge No. 622 for 40 plus years. Rev. Scott’s word was his bond, as he committed to teaching and spreading the gospel, fulfilling his duties and promises to God, his members, and the community at large. He believed in timeliness, doing things decently and in order, and remembering that greatness is exemplified by service to one’s fellow man. He kept the small-town boy attitude despite being the recipient of numerous awards, as he always declined opportunities to be in the limelight. He remained faithful to the eight churches of which he was elected to pastor, thereby helping to build local communities physically and spiritually.

He will be missed by his immediate and extended family. The words of his last sermon, preached while bedridden, will continue to guide their daily decisions, “Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but God’s word will never fail.”

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jessie Hawkins Scott; a son, Pat “Sonny” Scott; his parents; sisters, Cleo, Charlotte, and Mary Mageline; brothers, Wilbert and Willie Scott; three brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and his godmother, Sis. Hannah J. Hawkins.

Survivors include his daughters, Shirley Scott and companion, Bernard, and Sandra Scott, all of Woodville; a son, Alvin Scott and wife, Phyllis of Avondale; grandchildren, Jacinta Robinson and husband, Ardell, of New Orleans, Charlton Scott and wife, LaShonda, of Woodville, Tourayarn Scott and Aja Scott, both of Avondale, and James Gaskins of Woodville; great-grandchildren, Christa Okwuonu, Alexis Cedeno, Brandon McGhee, Asia and Ardell Robinson, Chartavia and Charlton Scott Jr. and Denerian Scott; special sons, Ledell Marshall and Oliver Scott, both of Woodville; sisters-in-law, Bessie Hawkins Woods of Aiken, S.C., Ollie Brooks and Mildred Blakes, both of New Orleans, Ruth Turner Scott of Woodville, Mirma James Scott and Adline Haynes Scott, both of Baton Rouge; nine nephews; 18 nieces; a number of great-nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, loved ones, eight memberships and friends.

Pallbearers will be members of the Masonic Lodge No. 622, Fort Adams.

Honorary pallbearers will be ministers and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Cynthia Coe, Dr. Pamela Hollins, Dr. Leon Kraft, Dr. Charlie H. Bridges, Drs. Shaista and Shaban Faruqui, the Cardiology, Oncology and the Physical and Occupational Therapy Units of Baton Rouge General, Mid City, Medical Center. Thanks are also extended to church members, relatives, friends and neighbors who provided much support.