FHU teacher Lavonne ScottHENDERSON, Tenn. (BNc) — LaVonne Billingsley Scott, 92, long-time teacher at Freed-Hardeman University, passed away May 10 at her home.

She was born Aug. 28, 1918, in Cowlington, Le Flore County, Okla. She was educated in the public schools of Fort Smith, Ark., and graduated from Freed-Hardeman College in 1937. She received other degrees from the University of Arkansas and the University of Memphis.

In 1981, she was selected by Freed-Hardeman as Distinguished Faculty. Christian Woman magazine featured her in the May/June 2006 issue. 

After retiring from FHU, she tutored many students and taught in Nigerian and Kenyan mission schools.

She was a longtime member and frequent officer of the Freed-Hardeman Associates, Henderson Civitan Club, and Delta Kappa Gamma society of women educators.

Sister Scott was married to Thomas Elihue Scott II who was the grandson of Thomas Elihu Scott I, a pioneer preacher in West Tennessee. She and brother Scott met while attending Freed-Hardeman. Brother Scott, who was also a teacher at Freed-Hardeman, died in 1971 at the age of 56. The same year, Scott Hall, a women’s dormitory at Freed-Hardeman, was named in honor of brother and sister Scott.

She is survived by three children: Ralph Scott and Susan (Mrs. Frank) Bradford of Henderson, and Tom Scott of McMinnville Tenn.

She is also survived by a sister, a brother, two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, a son-in-law, seven grandchildren, and twelve nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Mid-South Youth Camp or the Freed-Hardeman Associates, c/o Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, Tenn.

Sister Scott’s funeral service was conducted at the Henderson church on Friday, May 13. Those speaking were E. Claude Gardner, her son, Tom Scott, Roy Sharp, and Billy Smith.

A large number of Freed-Hardeman Associates and their spouses sat together to honor her long service to the Associates.

Interment was in Chester County Memory Gardens in Henderson.

She will be remembered as one who loved her family, was a friend to her students, and a tireless worker who was very involved and active in good works until just a few days before her death.

Thanks to Tom Childers.

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