CECELIA SHELLENE MCDOWELL SCOTT, 86, passed on
to Heaven on May 3, 2008 at her home in Ranger, TX.
She was Valedictorian of the Ranger High School
Class of 1939. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery
at Ranger, TX.
Cecelia was born Nov. 15, 1921 in Ranger to John
Shelby, a long time area rancher, & Florrie Alva
Tunnell McDowell. She graduated from Southern
Methodist University with a degree in Music and was
a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. Cecelia devoted
her whole life to her family and friends. She loyally
attended all RHS activities that involved her children.
She was a devout Christian and taught Sunday school for
many Ranger kids. For 18 years, Cecelia volunteered at
Abilene State School serving on the Board of Directors
and working in the Second Edition resale shop to benefit
the school. She received the State School Volunteer of
the Year award and was appointed Board Member Emeritus.
For many years she attended River of Life Church and
cherished her church community.
Cecelia is survived by her loving husband of 64 years,
Joe Bailey Scott of Ranger, her four children, Dr. Shellene
Scott Beach (RHS-1962), Celeste Hoover (RHS-1965), Joe
Shelby Scott (RHS-1975) and Caprice Scott Gatea (RHS-1979).
Her loving family also includes her daughter-in-law, Susan
Scott, son-in-law, Nicolai Gatea and Bonny Dailey of
Abilene State School. She is also survived by her grand-
children, Dr. Susan Beach Barris, Alyssa Hoover, Holly
Scott Dunn (RHS-2002), Heather Scott (RHS-2002), Shelbi
Scott (RHS-2007), Joe David Scott & Nicole Gatea.
HUSBAND: JOE BAILEY SCOTT passed away on April 24, 2009.
He was born August 11, 1920 in Murchison, TX to Joseph Oscar
& Emma (Echols) Scott. He attended Murchison schools in the
early grades and later graduated from Athens High School. He
played football at Athens High and received many sports awards
during his high school career. In 1939 he had the honor of being
selected as the first draft choice for the high school All Star
Football Game.
After high school graduation, he attended Southern Methodist
University on a football scholarship. He was drafted his senior
year and served in the Army Air Corp during World War II. In
1943 he married Cecelia Shellene McDowell in Montgomery, AL.
Following the war he returned to SMU & graduated in 1947 with
a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education. In 1950 he began his
34 year career with Ralston Purina Company as a salesman and
then as the Sales Manager and then Area Director of Operations.
He also ranched in the Ranger area for many years. He was a
devout Christian & attended River of Life Church for many years.
He deeply loved his family and took great pride in caring for
them. He was a blessing to all who knew him. He will be remembered
for his kind heart and caring ways. Joe was preceded in death by
Cecelia, his loving wife of 64 years.
He is survived by his four children, Dr. Shellene Scott Beach,
Celeste Scott Hoover, Joe Shelby Scott and Caprice Scott Gatea.
His loving family also included a son-in-law, Nicolai Gatea and
Bobby Dailey of Abilene State School. He is also survived by
his grandchildren, Dr. Susan Beach Barris, Alyssa Hoover, Holly
Scott Dunn and her husband Marcus, Heather Scott, Shelbi Scott,
Joe David Scott, and Nicole Gatea, one sister, Madge Hoybrook
and a brother Joe Mann Scott both of Murchison, TX.