Bernice Scott

Obituary For Bernice Scott

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., New Jerusalem M.B. Church, Clinton Raymond Road, Raymond, MS 39154.

Lutisha Brown (her maternal grandmother), Bill Brown (her maternal grandfather), Ann Scott (her paternal grandmother), Cassie Brown Scott (her mother), and Oscar Scott (her father): these are the generations that led to the beautiful life of Bernice “Bea” Scott, born in Raymond, Mississippi, February 3, 1931 and entered into eternal rest with God March 30, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents: Oscar and Cassie Scott; three sisters: Mary Lee Scott, Lucille McGee, and Lutisha Brown; three brothers: Clarence Scott, William Scott, and J. C. Scott; and two sons: Lamar Nelson and Johnny Lee Johnson, Sr.

Bernice was a loving mother who worked hard to provide for her family of seven boys and five girls – always her heart’s joy. She attended Natchez College and worked in various capacities, including working in a dry cleaner and working as a personal maid. Bea was well-known for her amazing cooking ability and the impeccable way she cleaned her home and anywhere else she visited. She worked until she no longer could – setting a firm foundation in her children to love and trust the Lord. She also instilled a strong work ethic in them. Bernice was a member of the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Raymond, MS, making sure her children knew the Lord like she knew Him. Not only did she love going to church, she also loved fellowshipping throughout the Henderson Quarters community. Although Bea never learned to drive, she traveled anywhere she wanted to go (many times giving directions) with her longtime sister-friend, Mrs. Annette Davis Sanders.

When her health began to fail her in 2012, Bernice moved to the Woodlands Rehabilitation Health Center (formerly Trinity) under the medical care of “her doctor”, Dr. Saloum Cisse, who was always attentive and responsive to her medical needs, giving her a new lease on life. The staff embraced her, and many of them nurtured her for nearly nine years! There she gained countless new “family members,” friends, and acquaintances as she was highly social. God blessed her with close friends during her time at Woodlands: Mrs. Callie Robinson (her “adopted” daughter), and Ms. Shirley Lee (her best friend and partner in crime), and Ms. Cambria Moore (her guardian/roommate). Many residents and employees called her “The Queen” of the nursing facility as she was always willing to tell everyone what to do, when to do it, and just how it should be done. When the pandemic prevented us from visiting her in person, Kena Spires, Jameka Spires, and Alice Hudson ensured that she still received personal care that far-exceeded their professional duties. They treated her as if she were their mother. Bea toiled with several serious bouts of illness for 9 months to be spiritually born again and to be made whole in the presence of God!

She was the last family member of three Scott/Brown generations, and she was the matriarch of 12 legacy members. She was a strong mother who provided for her children until their adulthoods. These are the legacies she leaves to cherish her memories: Mildred Vernice Davis, Henry Albert Scott, Patricia Ann Scott, Beatrice Williams, Stanley Scott, Herman Wayne Scott, Frederick Leon Scott, Willie Sylvester Scott (Donna), Dr. Vernita Ann Wilson, and Nancy Denise Scott. From our first cries to her last breath, Bea (as we all affectionately called her) was there! Nothing gave her more joy than being surrounded by her children, her grandchildren, and her family! She was also the proud grandmother of 18 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.