Columbus, Georgia - Ret. Captain Russell J. Scott, Sr., 91, of Columbus passed at Piedmont Midtown Hospital on Friday, November 22, 2024. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at St. James AME Church, 1002 6th Avenue, Columbus. Rev. B. A. Hart, Senior Pastor will be officiating, and Elder Joseph Baker will deliver the eulogy according to the Charles E. Huff's International Funeral Home. Interment will be held on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at North End Cemetery, 704 Meadow Road, Quitman, GA 31643. There will be no public viewing.

Ret Captain Russell J. Scott, Sr. was born on December 3, 1932, in Quitman, GA 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. After graduation from Central High School, Waycross, Georgia, he attended North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Science. Upon graduating from college in 1954, he proudly served his country for twenty-three years. 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 seventeen 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 Incorporated 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. 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.

He leaves to cherish his wonderful memories, a loving wife, Ruth Scott, Columbus; two daughters, LaReese Vines (Emory), Roanoke, VA, Tina Scott-Morgan, Lithonia, GA and one son, Russell Scott, Jr., Columbus; three grandchildren Russell J. Scott, III (Taylor) of Powder Springs, GA; Marissa D. Morgan, MD (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and Rysen Jai Scott, Columbus, GA. Along with bonus daughter Regina Stokes (Fred) of Orlando, Florida and bonus son, Clifford Glenn (Lisa) (Upper Marlboro, MD and several bonus grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made payable to St. James AME Church for the establishment of the Russell J. Scott, Sr. Scholarship Fund..