1ST ANNUAL RUSSELL J. SCOTT, SR. MEMORIAL GALA

Where: The Perfect Place, Columbus, GA

When: Saturday, December 5 • 6 PM - 9 PM

Join us for the 1st Annual Russell J. Scott, Sr. Memorial Gala to honor his life, legacy, and the preservation of St. James AME Church!

We're excited to invite you to an in-person celebration honoring the legacy of Russell J. Scott, Sr. and to raise money for the scholarship fund and the preservation of historic St. James. 

Come together with friends, enjoy great company, and share unforgettable moments at this special event.

Don’t miss out on an evening filled with heart, laughter, and memories as we pour into our youth through scholarship and celebrate the rich history of St. James!

ABOUT Russell James Scott, Sr.

Ret. Captain Russell J. Scott, Sr., 91, of Columbus, passed at Piedmont Midtown Hospital on Friday, November 22, 2024.

Ret Captain Scott was born on December 3, 1932, in Quitman, Georgia, and was the only son of the late Robert J. Scott and Ezell Hollis Scott. 

He received his primary and secondary education in the public schools of Brooks and Ware Counties, graduating from Central High School, Waycross, GA.

He attended North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Science. 

After graduating from college in 1954, he proudly served his country for 23 years and retired. 

After retirement, he furthered his education with a master's degree in Foundations of Education and a master's degree in criminal justice.

These advanced degrees afforded him a second career with the Georgia Department of Corrections, where he retired after 17 years of service. 

Ret. Captain Scott was a devoted member of St. James AME Church where he served in many capacities such as Vice Chair of the Steward Board, Senior Usher Board, Mass Choir and many others. 

He was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. for 72 years and was active in other humanitarian organizations such as Sons of Allen, SPLC, NAACP, Red Cross and Urban League. 

Ret. Captain Scott was first united in marriage to the love of his life, Loris Brooks, and together, they had three children, two daughters and a son. 

After Loris's passing in 1999, he found love again with Ruth Glenn Scott, whom he married in 2001. Through this union, he welcomed bonus children and grandchildren into his life, embracing them as his own.

Ret. Captain Scott was a delight to know and spend time with and even to talk to. During my time as Secretary of St. James for 18 months, I got to know him vey well and can say of a certainty that there was always love and light in his eyes, and he never missed an opportunity to share words of wisdom or a shoulder to cry on whenever and wherever it was needed.

-s. renee greene