Thomas Lee Scott

Thomas L. Scott passed July 30, 2025. In 2018, he shared highlights of his life with StoryCorps of National Public Radio. Those highlights are included in this narrative.

Prior to the incorporation of the city, Thomas L. Scott was born February 26, 1926, to Julia Elizabeth Scott and Tom Lee of Keysville, Ga. While both parents loved him dearly, the reality that they did not marry profoundly affected his life. As he grew in stature and faith, Thomas recognized that manual labor was an easy way to earn money. Unfortunately, his labor was always in conflict with his education.

“My mother was a mother who loved and believed in me.” At one time, Julia Scott was challenged to take her son out of school. An influential, illiterate friend, Mrs. Viney Robertson did not know the value of education. Mrs. Robertson told his mother that if she did not take Thomas out of school, she would be sorry. Miraculously, Julia Scott chose to let him remain in school. This was the first of several miracles that strengthened his faith.

Julia Scott died when Thomas was 14 years old. He was boarding with an aunt and could barely provide food for himself when the second miracle happened. Thomas won a cross-country race. The prize was a cake! Thomas needed that cake for his dinner, and he won!

The third miracle came when he participated in two spelling bees sponsored in his school and the Burke County Schools. It was the general feeling in the school administration that a girl would win the spelling bee. Presumably, girls were smarter than boys. Anticipating that a girl would win, the prize was purchased before the contest. But when Thomas won the spelling bee, the officials were simultaneously happy yet embarrassed. The prize had to be exchanged before awarding it to Thomas.

His grades in high school earned him the distinction of class valedictorian. Often, he missed days of school while he was working. As a result, his average daily attendance lowered his status to Salutatorian. The community outcry over this injustice caused the principal to compromise by dividing the Valedictorian prize. The principal, Wright Newman McGlockton, was held in high esteem by Thomas. The prize was a victory pig!

While the family was impoverished, they did what they could to support Thomas. The fifth miracle that strengthened his faith happened at the Babcock & Wilcox Company. Prior to reaching legal age, Thomas told a lie to get a Social Security card. When he walked into Babcock & Wilcox–carrying his lunch pail–the guard thought that he was already employed and let him in. Thomas was hired! Employment at Babcock & Wilcox was miraculous in that this employer permitted him to work the evening shift so that he could go to school during the day. Mrs. Mozelle Singfield, his landlady, was so gracious and treated Thomas as if he were her own son.

His induction into the U.S. Navy was another miracle. Thomas was able to complete all of the high school courses, with the exception of English–Mrs. Janie Lowe was that special English teacher. Thomas was able to take the English class and earn his high school diploma after an honorable discharge from the Navy. Afterwards, the GI bill enabled him to study and graduate from Paine College in 1951.

Thomas was a student member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where the Rev. A. Leon Lowery and Rev. J.P. Murphy were instrumental in his spiritual growth and biblical understanding.

Richmond County Jail was the venue of another miracle in Thomas’ life. Thomas was arrested for bringing a Negro woman to the jail to post bond for his brother Alfred. After a free-for-all melee at the jail and a hospital visit, Thomas learned that women could not give bond for anybody. This incident was the wake-up call for his civil rights awareness.

Employment with the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company enabled Thomas to work as a human being with dignity and not fear being fired for not knowing.

He completed his career and retired from MetLife Insurance. During his career, he earned the designation of CLU, Chartered Life Underwriter, and served as a director of the Chattanooga Estate Planning Council.

He joined the historic First Baptist Church located at 506 East 8th Street in 1956 and has faithfully served as a member of the Men’s Chorus, Deacon Board, and Sunday School teacher. He served as president of the Lake Hills Neighborhood Association. His civic involvement includes the PTA of Brainerd High School, NAACP, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Politically, he served on the Hamilton County Board of Education from 1994 to 1998.

In 1957, Thomas married Daisy B. Gresham, a union only broken by his death on July 30, 2025.

In addition to Daisy, his memory is cherished by his daughters, Phyllis [Neal] White, Lake Jackson, Texas and Beverly A. Scott, Nashville, TN., his son, Rev. Thomas [Dr. Rhonda] Scott, Atlanta, GA, grandchildren, Jacinte’ White, Houston, Texas, Thomas L. Scott II, Atlanta, GA, David Scott, Washington, DC and Johnneal White, Savannah, GA; loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and his beloved hometown of Keysville, GA.

In lieu of flowers, make a contribution to the historic First Baptist Church, 506 East 8th Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403.

Public viewing will begin at 9 a.m., on Thursday, August 7, 2025, followed immediately by the celebration of life at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church East 8th Street.

Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery, gate time 1 p.m., with military honors.

Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, (423) 622-9995.