SCOTT, BILLIE SUE WHITE (1926~2003) Billie Sue White Scott, wife of Texas Adjutant General Willie L. Scott, was born on July 7, 1926, in Lamesa, Texas to William George and Myrtle Alice (Johnson) White. At the early age of eight, her father saw a talent in her to learn poems and readings. During the depression, he paid $5.00 a month to a local "expression" teacher to develop this talent. This interest continued and she received her Bachelor's degree in speech and drama from Hardin-Simmons University in 1947. It was at Hardin-Simmons that Miss White met her husband, Willie L. Scott. They married in 1947.
After graduation, she taught speech at the middle and high school level in Abilene and was very active in the Abilene Community Theater. During the Vietnam War, Mrs. Scott witnessed, on a news program, young men burning the flag in protest of the war. The growing lack of patriotism inspired her to write a collection of speeches and poems entitled, "America, I Love You." Over the next fifteen years, it was the most popular speech she gave and culminated in her receiving the National Unsung Heroine Award in 1981 from the National Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW. She also wrote and directed a play entitled "A Tribute." The play gives tribute to early day Texas women who supported their husbands during the time when Texas was struggling for its independence.
Mrs. Scott was very active in the Austin community as well. She was a member of the Junior League, the Settlement Club, the Austin Women's Club, PEO, and was a volunteer with the Triple L Club and a member of Highland Park Baptist Church. Among her many awards, she was chosen as an Outstanding Alumna of Hardin-Simmons University and was awarded the Keeter Award as well.
The Scotts had two children, a daughter, Aliceson Scott Coates, and a son, Richard White Scott, a son-in-law, James V. Coates, a daughter-in-law Jill B. Scott five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Scott passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2003. She was buried next to her husband at the Texas State Cemetery four days later.
Information taken from obituary, Austin American-Statesman, February 22, 2003. |
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