Piney Ray Scott

Piney Scott was born in Slaton Texas, on June 23, 1934 to the parentage of Charlie Parker and Susie Johnson Parker. Piney departed this life on June 24, 2017, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas, one day after her eighty-third birthday. Piney graduated from Dunbar High School in Lubbock, Texas, in 1951, where she was a star basketball player, who exceled academically. She was always very friendly and outgoing and never met a stranger, even from her early years. She met and married the late Reverend Dr. Leo F. Scott on February 26, 1954, and from the union four children were born. Piney matriculated at Texas Southern University earning a B.S. degree in Home Economics the year, after her family moved to Abilene. While Piney completed her last year in college, Leo took care of their three girls. Upon completion of her bachelor's degree, Piney joined her husband and family in Abilene, where she worked as a special education teacher at Woodson High School. She later earned a masters degree in Counseling from Hardin Simmons University. Piney also worked at Franklin Jr. High School, Jefferson Jr. High School, Reassignment Center and Project Pass, as a counselor. She was the first African American to teach as an Adjunct Professor at Hardin Simmons University. She retired in 2001, after thirty-seven years of service to Abilene Independent School District. When Reverend Scott accepted his call to ministry and became pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Hamlin, TX, Piney assumed her first role as First Lady. She served by his side at Oak Grove, for 14½ years. After leaving Oak Grove, Piney served as the First Lady of New Light Missionary Baptist Church, for 13 years, when Rev. Scott was called to serve as the pastor. She also supported Reverend Scott when he served at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She was a godly woman and helpmeet to her husband and the church families where they served. Piney was a praying woman, who trusted God all of her life. She was known for her friendly demeanor and for her great love of beautiful hats and fashionable suits and accessories. She was always very well dressed and many people have characterized her as a fashion Diva! Her professional club memberships included President, Delta Kappa Gamma, Texas State Teacher's Association (TSTA) and National Education Association (NEA). Her social memberships include: Red Hat Society, Loyal Sixteen Club and Greater Abilene Ministers Wives. Piney was an excellent Sunday School Teacher, where her quick wit and real life examples kept her class laughing and learning about the Lord. Anyone who knew Piney knew that she loved the Lord, Reverend Scott, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her church families. Her infectious smile and warm caring spirit will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Piney was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dr. Leo F. Scott; parents, Charlie and Susie Parker; three brothers: Murgur Parker, Charlie Parker Jr. and Zell T. Parker; four sisters: Helen Ruth Parker, Rocenia Clemons, Ester Maxwell and Hester (Ree) Raven; and one granddaughter Ryleigh Alyssa Phillips. She leaves wonderful memories to be cherished by her three daughters, Jarilyn Brown (James) of Ft. Worth, Texas; Regenia Phillips (Rudolph) of Highland Village, Texas; Cessilye Williams (Timothy) of Anchorage, Alaska; one son, Michael Leo Scott (Bizunesh) of Spring, Texas; eight grandchildren: Carey Brown (Anna), Jessica Brown, Jazmine Williams, Scott Williams, Rachael Phillips, Justin Scott, Jason Scott, and Jordan Price; two great-grandchildren; Devyn and Deion Malone; longtime friend and caregiver Annie Morrison and a host of relatives and friends. Visitation will be 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 30th, at New Light Baptist Church, 518 North 6th Street. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 1st, at New Light Baptist Church with burial to follow in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Leo & Piney Scott Scholarship through the Community Foundation. (cfabilene.org)