Hazel Durham Scott

Mrs. Hazel Durham Scott, 87, of Fort Payne passed away Monday, June 6, 2011 at her home. She was a beloved member of Mountain View Primitive Baptist Church, and for more than forty years had served God alongside her husband, Elder Charles Aubrey Scott, who began his ministry at Mt. View and went on to pastor churches in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. Mrs. Scott was born in the Chavies community on Sand Mountain to William Preston and Mary Jane Cassidy Durham. She had six sisters and four brothers: Nell King, Mary Ruth Shallock, Helen Lyons, Lyda Rutt, Sibyl Hall and Edna Earle McSpadden, Buford, Truman, Jeff, and Marvin Durham. All have preceded her in death. Growing up in a large family during the Depression Era was sometimes a challenge, but Mrs. Scott learned valuable lessons of independence and thriftiness as well as skills in gardening that were beneficial for the rest of her life. As a young girl, she attended elementary school and church in Chavies and then graduated from DeKalb County High School in Fort Payne. In 1943 she married Charles Scott, who was soon called for duty by the US Army during World War II. After the war, the couple settled in Chavies with their first child, Maurice. In 1953, after the birth of three more children, Charlotte, Paul, and Rebecca; Charles Scott was ordained into the ministry. Hazel Scott accepted her role as the wife of a minister with dignity and grace. Her winning personality, teaching skills and musical talents were very helpful when her husband became the pastor of two small churches in Tennessee. Children in tow, the couple traveled to Fayetteville and South Pittsburg on alternating Sundays for several years. Many more years of God’s service and two more children (Thomas and Melissa) followed. During those years, Hazel Scott became active in Parent/Teacher organizations, garden clubs, and church Ladies Circle and Wives of Ministers groups. She could be found teaching children on Sundays or as a school substitute and volunteering in other ways whenever she was needed in whatever community she was living at the time. In the early 1950s, she was instrumental in the formation of an organization that became close to her heart for the rest of her life--Tri-States Primitive Baptist Youth Camp (also known as TAG). Every June Charles, Hazel and all the children could be found at camp. Whether serving as a cabin counselor, helping with crafts, or working in the kitchen “Sister Hazel” was always busy. Several of her children and grandchildren have followed in her footsteps in service to TAG. During their retirement years, Elder Charles and Hazel returned to Sand Mountain and built a home near their beloved Mountain View Church . Her community and church activities were a solace to her when her dear husband passed away suddenly in 1997. Mrs. Scott became very active in the Rainsville Garden Club where she served as president for many years. She was also a volunteer at BMC DeKalb and remained a faithful member of Mt. View Church. Funeral services were on Wednesday, June 8, at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Jim McGill officiating. Pall bearers were grandsons Jonathan Scott, Jeffrey McGill, Eric McGill, Matthew Scott, Stephen Stebbins, Philip Stebbins, John Scott, Michael Scott and Preston Jacobs. Burial was in Mountain View Memory Gardens. Mrs. Scott is survived by her children Maurice A. (Nancy) Scott of Greenwood SC; Paul P. (Mary Ann) Scott of Decatur, AL; Thomas E. (Donna) Scott of Hartselle, AL; Charlotte (Elder Jim) McGill of Fort Payne; Rebecca (Alan) Stebbins of Ocoee, FL; Melissa (Terry) Jacobs of Northport, AL., 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to TAG Camp, 1027 River Bend Road, Chattanooga, TN 37419 or Mountain View Primitive Baptist Church, 213 Bluff View Drive, Fort Payne, AL 35967. Wilson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Hazel Durham Scott

May 6, 1924 - June 6, 2011