Mary L. Scott

On October 23, 1923, MARY LOU BRILEY SCOTT, the last of six children, was born in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York to the late Sally and George Briley. Her five siblings: Les, Simi, Helen, Noreen and Grace preceded her in death. Mary Lou Scott was educated in Long Island, New York and served as an Eastern Star Memebr for most of her young life. Mary Lou Scott was a beautiful young lady who participated in beauty contests and won. Mary Lou was married at the age of sixteen to Floyd Simmons. This union produced Floyd Rubin Simmons and Raymond Simmons. Floyd Simmons preceded her in death and she married Matthew Linwood Scott who also preceded her in death. Matthew Scott and Mary Lou Scott adopted Eric Smith, who has also preceded her in death. Mary Lou Scott was a feisty woman who joined Beth-El House of God in New York in 1963 under the leadership of her sister, the late Bishop Helen Mickens. Mary Lou Scott migrated to Maryland in 1971 where she helped raise her grandchildren, Floyd Jeffrey Simmons and Annise Teasly. As a member of Beth-El she served as the church treasurer unil she became ill in 1998. As her illness progressed, Mary Lou Scott was no longer able to are for herself and moved in with her son, Floyd Simmons and her daughter-in-law, Helen Simmons. After eight years of struggling with Mary Lou’s Alzheimer’s disease and combative behavior, the doctors refused to allow Mary Lou Scott to return to the home of her son and daughter-in-law. With much anguish, her son placed her in an assisted living home and as she became more ill a nursing home. In October of 2009, Mary Lour Scott moved to North Carolina and was cared for by her niece, Deborah Mickens. Mary Lou Scott later returned to Maryland in June of 2012, where she was cared for by her son Floyd Simmons and her daughter-in-law, Helen Simmons. In the days preceding her death, the family that she created over the eighty-eight years gathered to spend time with her and to say their goodbyes. On October 12, 2012 at 4:15 a.m., Mary Lou Briley Scott ended her journey, but her spirit lives on in those who have been blessed to have known her, loved her, and struggled with her during disease. She leaves behind to mourn her memory and feisty spirit: her two sons; two daughters-in-law; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; her church family and many friends.

Tributes

Mary L. Scott

October 23, 1923 - October 12, 2012