Wilma Lee Sowells Scott “The Legacy of a Virtuous Woman” Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
Sister Wilma Lee Sowells Scott was born the first child of Jessie James and
Catherine A. Jenkins Sowells in Newton County, Texas on March 18, 1937. She was baptized at an early age and spoke the “Good News” of Jesus Christ until her spirit entered the heavenly gates on February 27, 2010.

Wilma
Lee Sowells met the love of her life, Rev. Lenzo Verlon Scott as a youth West of Rosepine. The late Rev. J.W. Gibbs united them in marriage on December 22, 1957. Together the anointed couple blessed the city of DeRidder as Christians, teachers,
community and civic leaders. She served God at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in DeRidder, until her husband was called to pastor. Before leaving Mount Zion, she founded the Rosie P. Gibbs Matrons that remain active to date. First Lady Wilma Scott
served Ellen Burr Baptist Church in Leesville for 18 years. While at Ellen Burr Baptist Church, she would see expediential church growth. Under the Leadership of Pastor L.V. Scott and First Lady Wilma Scott, the construction of the current sanctuary
was begun and completed.
On December 22, 2007, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a host of family and friends. Their earthly union was blessed for 51 years. Her sister-in-law, Cecil Young (Oscar) of New
Braunfels, Texas grieves with us today.
The legacy of Sister Wilma S. Scott will continue in her six daughters: Dr. Lori Scott Hunt of Port Arthur, Texas; Dr. Yvonne Scott Miller (Calvin) of Lawrenceville, Ga.; Mrs. Lydia Scott
Stewart (Ricky) of Monroe, Mrs. Letrece Scott Harris (Jackie) of Pine Bluff, Ark.; Mrs. Lisa Scott Broussard (Michael) of Lawrenceville, Ga. and Mrs. Yolanda Scott Johnson (Terry) of Lawrenceville, Ga.
Her grandchildren knew her as
“Maw Maw”. She nurtured each of them with unconditional love and kindness. The twelve grandchildren of Mrs. Wilma Scott are: Dana Hunt of Lawrenceville, Ga.; Ricky Stewart of Monroe; Anthony Archield of Lawrenceville, Ga.; Jackie Harris, Jr., Joshua
Harris and Jonathan Harris of Pine Bluff, Ark.; Sarah Miller, Calvin Miller, Jr. and Cameron Miller of Lawrenceville, Ga.; John Johnson, Justin Johnson and Jeremiah Johnson of Lawrenceville, Ga. God also blessed her to see the birth of her one great
granddaughter, Jordyn Sumbler. Her unconditional love was shared by stepchildren Terran Turner (Terry and Yolanda); and Michael, Jr. Miesha (Michael and Lisa).
Wilma was a sister to: Genell Sowells Carter (Grover) of Montgomery, Ala.;
Walter L. Sowells (Ella) of Houston, Texas; Geraldine Maxie Bell Sowells Johnson (Tone) of Corpus Christi, Texas and Roosevelt J. Sowells of DeRidder. In addition to her siblings, she leaves a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews to
cherish her memory. Preceding her in death were three siblings: Deloris Sowells, Maxine Sowells and Welton D. Sowells.
Educator Wilma Scott earned her bachelor’s degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, in 1959. Mrs. Scott did
not stop her educational pursuits with her bachelor’s degree. She was the first black teacher to receive a master’s degree at DeRidder High School. She would later go on to receive her master’s plus thirty and administration certification. She is
credited as the first team leader for teachers at Carver Elementary in 1963; first black teacher of Spanish at Carver Elementary; first Black teacher in Beauregard Parish to write and direct a professional improvement plan for teachers. She is a
retired educator of 25 plus years with the Beauregard Parish School System in DeRidder.

Everyone who knew Sister Scott can tell a story of how she touched lives. She nurtured community children by forming the first
Blue Birds Troup for African American girls in 1965; co-founded the Tru Lo Ens Camp Fire Girls Troup with her friend Mrs. Ann J. Stewart. She was also the first black woman to serve on the board of directors for Big Brothers and Big Sisters in
Beauregard Parish. Her community and civic involvements are many including being the founder of the Ebonite’s Society of DeRidder. In her senior years, she worked tirelessly with the National Association of the University Women headquartered in
Washington, D.C. In 2000, she began a tenure as National Financial Secretary under President Dr. Ezora Proctor.

Community Organizations

Co-Founder of Ebonites Cultural
Unlimited
Chartered Members of New Comer’s Hospitality
One of the first writers for the History Book published by Beauregard Historical Society
First Black to hold membership in the Beauregard Historical
Society
First Homeless Coordinator for the Beauregard Community Action Agency
First Black woman to win the title of Woman of the Year for Beauregard Parish 1981
First Black Woman to become elected to the
Beauregard Parish Democratic Executive Committee
First Black Woman to be appointed to the Hwy 171 Corridor
Declared Exalted Ambassadors of the City of DeRidder December, 2007

Current and
Former Professional Organizations

National Association of University Women
American Association of Retired Persons
Beauregard Retired Teachers Association
National Council
of Marriage Encounter
Southern University Alumni
Northwestern University Alumni
Phi Gamma Mu
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People
National Education Association
Louisiana Education Association
Beauregard Education Association
National Reading Council
National Council for Teachers of
English

Religious

First Lady of Ellen Burr Baptist Church (18 Years)
First President and Founder of the Rosie P. Gibbs Matrons at Mt. Zion Baptist
Church
First Organized Scholarship program at Ellen Burr Baptist Church in Leesville, LA
Founder and First President of DeRidder area Minister’s Wives

Youth Support

First Black Woman Counselor for the Blue Birds in 1965 in Beauregard Parish
Co-Founder of Tru Lo Ens Camp Fire in DeRidder, LA
First Black Woman to serve on the Board of Directors in Beauregard Parish for
Big Brothers and Big Sisters

Sister Wilma Lee Sowells Scott will be memorialized on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 6:00 PM at the Ellen Burr Baptist Church.
Pastor Derrick Johnson
1346 Pine Loop
Road
Leesville, LA

Her Celebration of Life will begin at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 6, 2010 also at Ellen Burr Baptist Church.
Myers-Colonial Funeral Home of DeRidder, LA will be
officiating.

Words of comfort may be shared at: www.myers-colonialfuneralhome.com