Betty Jean Scott

Obituary Betty Jean Scott, 80, of Henderson, Nevada and Kansas City, Missouri passed away at 6:45 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2019, in Henderson. Friends and family are invited to Betty’s home going services at Cleveland Avenue Baptist Church, 2853 Cleveland Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64128 at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Burial will be at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery following the service. Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapels, 1800 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri 64109 is serving the Scott Family. The wake will be held for Betty at the Jones & Sons Chapel from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2019. Friends and family will have the opportunity to share “Betty Stories”, and the Kansas City, Missouri Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will conduct a memorial ceremony in honor of Soror Betty Scott. Betty Jean Forte Scott, daughter of Merrill and Rosalee Forte, wife of Brigadier General (Retired) Donald L. Scott, and mother of Lloyd (deceased), Jeffrey, Las Vegas, Nevada, Merrill E.L. “Mel” (Gailya) Austell, Georgia, was born September 19, 1938, in Hannibal, Missouri. She married her loving husband Don on March 3, 1962, at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and they are the grandparents of Taylor and Summer Scott of Kansas City, Missouri, and Desiree Hock-Scott and Gina Larue Pidt-Scott of Nuremberg, Germany. Betty is also survived by her sister Priscilla Forte of Hannibal, Missouri; brother Maurice Forte (Joyce)of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; niece Dawn Rushing of Raleigh, North Carolina; Tiffany Walls (Forte) and nephew Adam Walls (Forte) of Oakland, California; Barbie Blackman (Forte) San Francisco, California; and a host of Dant-Scott-Wright-Trott extended nieces and nephews who love Aunt Betty. Among the first African Americans to integrate Hannibal, Missouri High School, Betty graduated with honors and attended Lincoln University, Jefferson City. There she continued to excel academically and joined the esteemed sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Her marriage to young Lieutenant Don Scott launched her life of service and adventure. As a military spouse for over thirty years she travelled extensively in the United States, Asia and Europe. She was a pioneer among military wives because she worked as a government employee and still managed to care for her family and accomplish the many volunteer duties expected of a military officer’s wife. Her awards and citations are a testament to her leadership in the performance of volunteer duties as a military spouse from Lieutenant to Brigadier General officer ranks. Her post military life included work to stay busy as an office manager, co-host at high level social functions at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. when Don served as the Deputy Librarian. Betty was a favorite travel companion of the Library’s Madison Council members, whose generous financial donations augmented the Library’s collection efforts. She accompanied Don and the Madison Council members to France, Amsterdam, Great Britain, and Russia and earned respect and admiration for her candor and engaging personality. Throughout her life she was widely known for her generosity to others and loyalty to her family and friends. She was a tireless campaign volunteer for the election of President Barack Obama, the first African American President, and strongly supported the Constitution of the United States of America. Although she eagerly left Hannibal (her home town) for adventure and service with husband Don in the 1960s, in her retirement years, she tirelessly helped to establish Hannibal’s first and only African American Museum, Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center. Betty loved God and cultivated a strong relationship with her Lord. When asked by others how she was doing, every response was simply “I am blessed.” At an early age, she was baptized as a member of the Disciples of Christ Church in Hannibal, and she regularly attended church wherever she and Don were assigned. When in Kansas City she regularly attended Cleveland Avenue Baptist Church and Green Valley Baptist Church when in Henderson. Memorials can be made to Jim’s Journey at F.A.C.T, #4 Melgrove Ln., Hannibal Missouri 63401. The family of Betty Scott wishes to extend sincere thanks to all who provided for her care both in Kansas City and Henderson, the ministerial staff and members of Cleveland Avenue and Green Valley Baptist Church, L.A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel, and family and friends for their lifetime of kindness to her and her family. A Wake and Service of “Omega Omega” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will be held from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m., on Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Lawrence A. Jones and Sons Linwood Chapel. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at Cleveland Avenue Baptist Church 2853 Cleveland Avenue KCMO 64128. Interment 1:30 P.M. Leavenworth National Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Jean Scott, please visit our floral store. Read More

Betty Jean Scott

April 18, 2019 - April 12, 2019