Carmen Scott

Carmen Ursula Scott was born in Valhalla, New York on July 20, 1941, to Ursula Mahon Smith and Coleman Smith, Sr., and she believed in God. She grew up in Peekskill, NY and was the tenth of twelve children. Carmen had many nieces and nephews.

Carmen was a devoted wife to her husband of 67 years, Richard E. Scott, Sr., who mourns her greatly. She was also a loving mother to Wanda Lynne Drummond (nee Scott; deceased), Tracy Barry Scott (deceased) and Richard E. Scott, Jr. (“Dickie”). She fiercely loved and protected each of her children. She was a devoted grandmother and great grandmother to Carmen Drummond and her great-granddaughters. Carmen adored her 11 brothers and sisters, David C. Smith (deceased), Jacqueline M. Blue (deceased), Coleman Smith Jr. (deceased), Raoul F. Smith (deceased), Raphael K. Smith (deceased), Lowell L. Smith (deceased), Muriel Consuela Curtis (deceased), Lola Marietta Fuller (deceased), Romaine Smith Jamison (deceased), Alma Louise Lloyd (deceased) and Angela Mae Smith (“Angie” – Yes, she still walks above the earth as the last of the clan!). Carmen especially cherished the special relationships she had with her sisters, Jackie, Alma, and Angie.

While a student at Peekskill High School, Carmen met the young man who would be the love of her life, Richard Emanuel Scott. After graduating from Peekskill High School, Carmen and Richard married on September 14, 1957, and started a family. Carmen and Richard integrated neighborhoods as the first or one of the first Black homeowners in townships in southern New Jersey in the early (Willingboro NJ) and mid-nineteen seventies (Tarnsfield in Westampton). When certain neighbors were not welcoming, Carmen gave as good as she got and passed that attitude on to her children. Richard and Carmen traveled a lot and made sure to take time to enjoy their life together.

Carmen was a working mother her entire adult life. She would get up every day at 5am to get ready for work, got her kids up to get ready for school, then worked 10 hours everyday (before it was a thing), and drove home and prepared dinner for her family. She did this every day. She worked at IBM for 30 years. A true proletariat, Carmen, along with some IBM colleagues made a valiant attempt to form a workers’ union; her appreciation of workers’ rights was passed down to her children. Later in life she owned and operated a cleaning business with Richard, which was also very successful.

Carmen also loved flowers and could always be found gardening in her yard. She was also an avid sports fan, rooting for the Eagles and the Phillies. When it came to books, Carmen was voracious, reading 2 to 3 books at a time. She also mentored her nieces and nephews with whom she maintained close relationships until the end. Carmen was an expert blackjack player who loved the experience and atmosphere of casinos. She also enjoyed Spades and Bid Whist. She went to Atlantic City and Las Vegas many times. Carmen would strike up a conversation with anyone. Carmen was transparent and had no problem telling it, “like it is.” She willingly shared her knowledge and life experiences, and helped others without hesitation.

Carmen will be sorely missed by family and friends alike. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Sr., her son, Richard Jr. (“Dickie”) and her sister, Angie. In addition to her parents and siblings, Carmen was predeceased by her daughters Tracy and Wanda, both of whom she was very protective. Her loss is also felt by lifetime friends JoAnn Lee, Gina Mangham, Yvonne Bunch, Robert (deceased) & Nancy (deceased) Pettigrew, Bessie Williams (deceased), Al Talley, George Massey, Barbara (deceased) & Nureldeen Storey Sr., Robert & Stella Albergotti, Shirley Walker and Garrett O’Dell, in addition to many other friends, family members and loved ones.

We celebrate her life well-lived! There is an expression, “As long as you remember someone, they never truly leave you. Their thoughts, their feelings, their memories, they become a part of you.” That saying has never been more poignant than now.

“I will glory in the Lord: Let the humble hear and rejoice.” – Psalm 34

Funeral Services will be at 11 am on Wednesday, July 16 at St. James Episcopal Church Newport, 2 S. Augustine St. Newport, DE 19804 where visitation will begin at 10 am.