Jessie Mae Scott

Tribute

“Remember, it’s not what we leave FOR others that matters; it’s what

we leave IN them that matters most.  Possessions and wealth do not a

 true legacy make. It’s about leaving behind the essence of your

 Authentic Soul. That’s what the world needs from you.  So, serve

others by leaving behind the best and most beautiful parts of you.

Today, and every day, create your legacy.”

– Lisa Haiasha

Our Mom’s story began on October 28, 1932. Republican President Herbert Hoover was leading the United States through the Great Depression, which caused drastic declines in output, severe unemployment, and acute deflation in almost every country of the world. The Great Depression represented the harshest adversity faced by Americans since the Civil War.

During this tumultuous era, God, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrated the humble birth of an authentic soul, Jessie Mae into this earth through her mother, Rosie Lee Miller and her father, Connell Charles Cunningham in Lancaster, South Carolina. This authentic soul would be named Jessie Mae, after Rosie Lee’s twin sister, Jessie Lee.

Times were hard for Rosie Lee and her siblings on the farm. Long work hours and a lack of adequate resources to properly rear Jessie during the depression lead Rosie Lee planned a better life for her daughter.  Jessie Mae would be reared by Rosie Lee’s mother and father, e.g., Martha Sarah-Jane Truesdale Miller and Sunny Miller. Jessie Mae was the apple of their eye, and she had Sunny wrapped around her little finger. When Jessie wanted things to go her way, she would wait until Sunny came home from work, run to him and say, “Poppa, they wouldn’t give me any fatback!” Sunny wouldn’t have it! He picked her up, took her in the house and demanded a piece of fatback for his baby girl! 

Jessie was raised in the church and loved it when annual ‘big meeting’ came around.  That was the time when a series of revivals would take place at the church (New Hope Baptist Church, Lancaster, SC).  She loved the metered hymns of the church, but most of all she couldn’t wait to eat during the picnic in the church yard. Jessie would have on her Sunday best and would wait under the large oak tree near the old church bell for Martha to bring her some friend chicken, cake and pie all wrapped in a crisp white napkin.

After Sunny passed away, Martha and Jessie moved to Kannapolis, North Carolina to be closer to family, i.e., the Johnsons, Williams, and Mill’s family. She loved her Uncle Collie, Aunt Gertrude Williams and cousins Rea, Flossie and James Ray. It was in Kannapolis that she fell in love with the Pentecostal/holiness church.  She loved the lively foot stumping, and music that made people shout and rejoice!  It was wasn’t like the Baptist church where they sang those metered hymns with no music.

After Martha passed, Jessie lived with her father, Connell, and two sisters, Rudolphia and Artis, in High Point, North Carolina. Those girls were like ‘three peas in a pod’. Jessie always knew she had other siblings, as matter of fact, she later met her eleven (11) other siblings—the Moses Clan:

James, Sammie Lee, Lester, Clyburn Leroy, Jr., Lloyd Franklin, L.C.; David, Herman, Edward, Mary, and Rose. Jessie loved each of her siblings dearly, and they were very protective of her.  

Never claiming to be perfect, as life and time caressed her, her natural gifts of compassion and service began to unfold, becoming the best and most beautiful parts of her! That is what the world needs—Compassion and service! That, my friends, is legacy!

Jessie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1962.  As she walked with God, she understood what it meant to be a servant. She served her community and her church.  She started her own non-profit organization, called the South Albemarle Community Assistance Ministry, providing food, and financial assistance to those experiencing a need.  She was a faithful member of the Colston Street Church of God for over 40 years in various influential capacities as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Choir member, Praise and Worship Leader, and Church of God Ladies Ministries President over four (4) churches (Western North Carolina). She later joined the church family of New Direction Life Ministries, Inc., under the leadership of her eldest son, Pastor John Michael Scott. Mom loved to sing and whatever her little hands could find to do, she did it, and she did it with excellence! 

Jessie possessed a very strong work ethic and was a servant leader, nurturing and encouraging others, and pointing souls to Christ. Her passion and career choice was in the field of nursing.

So, we, the Scott Family, admonish you to serve others by leaving behind the best and most beautiful parts of you, into everyone you meet.  Mom has left an enormous legacy of love and various giftings in us and today, her children, e.g., John Michael (Dr. Anita) Scott; Tymothy Darrell (Angela) Scott; Donald Eric Scott; Glenda Kay (Jeffery) Hill; Terry Renae Scott; Dr. Kim Lorenzo (Debbie) Scott, and Tina Andrea’ (Dexter) Townsend—we rise and call her blessed, and as a family, we vow to keep the legacy alive by staying together and nurturing the younger members of the family to continue in the faith. Jessie’s authentic soul continues to live and thrive through the legacy of her children, and Today, mom would declare that the best and most beautiful parts of her live on through her nine (9) grand and eleven (11) great grandchildren, over 109 nieces and nephews, and so many other family and friends across the breath and width of the globe. Mom had a special love for her next-door neighbor of over 50 years, Ms. Alice Davis and the Davis Family.

Mom exhaled in the earth on evening of Friday July 26, 2019 and inhaled in eternity peacefully. We can only imagine what she is experiencing at this very moment!  We believe that she is somewhere dancing in her new body! As we honor the memory and legacy of Jessie Mae, let this day be a time of joyful reflection. Today, and every day, create your legacy.”  Thank you, God, for allowing us to have a jewel of a mother in Jessie Mae! 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jessie Mae Scott, please visit our floral store.