Blackie Scott

"Blackie" Scott, noted speaker, author, and humorist, died peacefully on March 8, 2025, just 3 days after celebrating her 98th birthday. Blackie was born Ella Mae Wright in Covington, Virginia. Her nickname, "Blackie" was bestowed at an early age and helped to make her most memorable. She was best known as a person who never met a stranger, and who loved and embraced all.

In 1975, Blackie began speaking nationally on entertaining and etiquette, with assistance from her husband, Jack. She became a member of the Georgia and National Speakers Associations. She, then, authored her first book, It's Fun to Entertain, followed by Get Your Funny Bone Off the Table, Corporate Success, It's Fun at Grandmother's House, and Retire and Rejoice.

Blackie survived both ovarian and breast cancer, and soon incorporated

"Humor Your Tumor...Laugh Into Remission" into her speaking engagements. She spoke at many hospitals throughout the country. She became a member of the National Cancer Survivors Day Speakers Bureau and spoke at the Georgia State Capitol in support of cancer survivors.

After completing high school, Blackie moved from her hometown of Covington, VA to Richmond, VA. In Richmond, she graduated from the Stuart Circle Hospital School of Nursing. She assisted in the opening of Richmond Memorial Hospital in 1957. In 1963, Blackie moved to Atlanta, GA with her husband, Jack, and daughter, Suzanne. She quickly became involved in community affairs and in Oak Grove United Methodist Church.

She and Jack were charter members of the Seekers Sunday School Class.

Blackie then founded the Hope Sunday School Class, and two circles in the United Methodist Women. She taught youth Sunday School, and served on several other committees at Oak Grove. She was also a part of the "Turban Ladies" in support of cancer victims.

Her greatest joy, however was establishing Girl Scout Troop 240 which she led for 4 years. She taught those girls one of her mottos: "sharing is caring." She believed we are all one-winged angels, and must embrace each other in order to fly.

Blackie is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Scott (John) Holley, her granddaughters, Jamie (David) Yates, Emily (Cody) Zardo, Jacqueline (Chris) Wilson, and great-granddaughters, Susanna Leigh Yates, Ella Rose Zardo, and Lily Suzanne Wilson. She is also survived by those she considered her children, Sharon Powell Harlander, Bruce Gunter, and Sam Lewis.

Blackie is preceded in death by her parents, Perry F. and Naomi Simmons Wright, her beloved husband of 54 years, Jack (John William) Scott, her second husband, Max Neese, her sisters Mary Frances Mays-Davis and Helen Wright Young, and her niece, Laura Drumheller Thomas.

The family extends a special thank you to King's Bridge Retirement Community, Dogwood Forest of Grayson, and Personal Care, Inc. for their love and caring of Blackie in her last years.

We will celebrate Blackie's life on Tuesday, March 18 at 11 am at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Rd., Decatur, GA 30033.

Interment will follow the service. Visitation with the family will precede the service at 10 am in the Grand Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Building Fund, in Blackie Scott's memory.