Mother Thelma Jean Scott
“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” Proverbs 31:29
Thelma Jean Buford lived in Kinloch thoughout her entire childhood and developed through the public-school system. Due to her scholastic achievements, she graduated from high school as the Class Valedictorian. She attended the Sanford Brown Business College and the Florissant Valley College and excelled at both institutions. As a young lady she was career minded. She entered the corporate world and ascended to the position of Administrative Assistant to the CEO of Central Medical Center. After twenty-six years of work in the secular world, she gave up her professional career to be a full-time housewife and religious leader. The mark of excellence was demonstrated throughout her life.
On February 6, 1966 Thelma Jean Buford married the love of her life, William Scott. This union was blessed with two children: Kimberly Ann Scott Tuggle and William Scott Jr., who preceded her in death. A meticulous housekeeper and grandmother par’ excellence, that was “MA-MA Scott” as she was called by her grandchildren.
Thelma Jean Buford was born into the Church of God in Christ, through the household of two saved parents. Her father was an ordained Elder. She received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at the age of fifteen, at the Kinloch Church of God in Christ under the pastorage of the late Bishop M.N. Norman. She served in the Church of God in Christ from Childhood to adulthood in the following capacities: Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Church Secretary, Hospitality Worker, Y.P.W.W. Teacher, Sunshine Band Leader and Licensed Missionary.
With her marriage to Elder William Scott, she became a Pastor’s Wife. She labored with her husband in the work of the Lord at the Lebanon Temple Church of God in Christ for eight years. From 1967 until her demise in 1997, she was the model Pastor’s Wife; standing strongly and consistently beside her husband in carrying out the ministry of the Lebanon Church of God in Christ, and the Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ. Even throughout her final week she was involved in intercessory prayer for the people of the Lord. She loved her church and the Saints of Mt. Calvary.
Supervisor Thelma Jean Scott was promoted through the ecclesiastical ranks of the church, serving as Executive Secretary for the Department of Women of Eastern Missouri under the tutelaege of the late Mother Ella Bostic Bronaugh and Mother Bonnie Peek, where she received her ecclesiastical training. She served as President of the Minister’s Wives and Widows Council, Eastern District I & II. She served the Illinois Southeast Jurisdiction initially as First Assistant Supervisor for the Department of Women, serving with the late Supervisor, Mother Jessie B. Ford; State Executive Secretary. Because of her faithfulness to God and the work of the Lord, along with her love for the Lord’s people, in August 1984 she was elevated to the office of Jurisdictional Supervisor of the Illinois southeast Jurisdiction, under the Leadership of the late Bishop Lemuel N. Moore. Since the demise of Bishop Lemuel N. Moore, Supervisor Scott served under Jurisdictional Bishop, Claude Ratliff Jr., faithfully unto the end.
Supervisor Thelma Jean Scott was a woman of unusual beauty, charm and sophistication; the epitome of womanhood.
She left on record this personal testimony:
“With all my heart, I love the Lord. He is real in my life, and beside him there is none other. My sincere desire is to serve the Lord with all humility and lowliness in spirit, pursuing holiness and walking in love.
Just tell the people that I’m saved and sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost, and striving daily, to be pleasing in God’s sight”.
On the morning of December 14, 1997 Supervisor Thelma Jean Scott was called from labor to reward. She served her generation and fell asleep.