Florence Richardson Scott

WEAVERVILLE – Florence Richardson Scott went home to heaven on September 9, 2024. There, she sees her beloved Savior face-to-face. She follows her dear husband, James Julius Scott, Jr., to whom she was married for nearly 62 years. She was mother to Mary Eleanor Scott Smith (Greg), Julia Wymond Scott Fox (Rick), and James Julius Scott III (Destiny), and “Grandmama” to eight grandchildren, Anna, Lilly, Julia, Leah Smith Phillips (Seth), and Grayson Smith, and Rebecca, Hannah-Kate, and Caleb Fox.  She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Elizabeth Swayze and Eleanor Cox.  She was predeceased by her brother, John R. Richardson, Jr MD.

Born on March 14, 1938, her parents, Reverend John R. Richardson, Sr., and Elizabeth Wymond Richardson, gave her no middle name. But over the years, she accumulated many nicknames, including “Flossie,” “Renzie,” “Faunfie”, “Mama,” “Grandmama,” and the one she never fully embraced until her granddaughter used it, “Flo.”

The Richardson parents did not allow Florence’s two older sisters to marry before they finished college. But an exception was made when “Flossie” met “J.J.” while working at Camp Westminster in Conyers, Georgia and they were engaged the summer after her freshman year.

Florence did persevere and finished her bachelor’s degree, transferring from Belhaven College in Mississippi to Agnes Scott College in Atlanta after their marriage. A year later, the Scotts moved back to Mississippi, where she graduated with a degree in history from Belhaven. 

In the early 1960s, the couple took the ship RMS Queen Mary to England for Julius to begin a PhD program at University of Manchester. Their first daughter Mary was born there. They returned to Mississippi, where Julius built the Bible department at Belhaven College and they welcomed their daughter Julie. They later moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where their son James was born and Julius taught at Western Kentucky University. They spent the last part of his career at Wheaton College in Illinois. 

Later in life, Florence earned a Masters degree in Theological Studies and certificate in teaching English as a second language. She coauthored a curriculum to help students for whom English is a second language understand theological terms and concepts.

Florence and Julius retired in Black Mountain, North Carolina where she continued to support his teaching as they traveled together to many places, including to Costa Rica, Egypt, Nigeria, and Malta. They also were passionate about teaching the Bible and about the geography of the land of ancient Israel at a number of churches.

Florence was hospitable, welcoming many people into her home over the years and cooking meals of spaghetti and chicken and dumplings. She read aloud to and played games with her children and grandchildren. She jogged three miles a day five days a week for many years. Florence played the piano and was able to continue even when dementia took other abilities.

In her last years, as dementia progressed, she continued to love attending church and reading her Bible. She often told her children and grandchildren about her love for Christ, frequently declaring phrases like “Let’s talk about Jesus!” 

A graveside service will be held on September 28, 2024 at 10:00am at Decatur Cemetery in Decatur, GA followed by a memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA at 11:30am.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Elizabeth Wymond Richardson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Wheaton College. Donations by check may be made out to Wheaton College and sent to Advancement Services, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187. Please kindly note on the memo line that the gift is in memory of Florence Scott.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving the Scott family. Condolences may be offered to the family under her obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com