Obituary for Winifred Larmore Scott On January 2nd 2019, life-long DeKalb County resident, Winifred Larmore Scott, or “Winnie” as she was known by one and all, passed away at the age of 84 after a long convalescence at the Collinsville Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She is survived by her three children, Charlie Scott of Houston TX, Susan Hayes of Fort Payne, and Jim Scott of Tacoma Washington, as well as her four grandchildren, Michael Hayes, Elise Hayes, Ethan Scott, and Philippa Scott. She is also survived by one brother, Charles Reed Larmore and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Winnie was born on the Larmore family farm, off Highway 11 near Hammondville, and spent her early years riding horses, being an all-around tom-boy, and watching her grandfather Jessie make his legendary sugar-cured hams. She earned her GED at the age of 16 and enrolled that same year at The Alabama State College for Women (now known as the University of Montevallo). After two years, she matriculated to the University of Alabama, where she completed both undergraduate and master’s degrees.
While in Tuscaloosa, she studied acting and performance with the legendary professor of drama Marian Gallaway. Her performance, during 1953-54 season, in the role of Abigail Williams in The Crucible was of particular note for its power and authenticity. In 1956, she married Charles “Mack” Scott of Fort Payne, who had just completed his law degree at the University, and the two “came home” to the area to work and raise a family.
It would be difficult to imagine a more influential member of the city and county’s greater community. Her 35 years of work as an English, Journalism, and Yearbook teacher at both Plainview High School and Fort Payne High School was renowned, influential, and widely remarked upon, by both students and colleagues. Her wit, intelligence, and passion for learning were always on display in the classroom, as well as in the teacher’s lounge and hallways.
Her influence, moreover, extended beyond school and into the local fine arts scene, where she was celebrated for her acting in local productions of plays as diverse and engaging as Tobacco Road, My Three Angels, and Steel Magnolias. She also worked behind the scenes on several other productions, including directing her FPHS colleague Katie Gillis in a stellar version of the Emily Dickinson bio-drama, The Belle of Amherst. Moreover, the “Senior Class Plays” that she directed (most often in tandem with her FPHS colleagues Joanna Titshaw Bazemore and Joanne Durham) are still talked about, cherished, and recollected.
These included Shenandoah, Oklahoma, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Little Mary Sunshine. In the late 1970’s, she helped to create a local Fort Payne youth choir, “The Star-Spangled Singers,” comprised of some of the city’s most musically talented teenagers. Under her leadership and inspiration, the group performed at many venues, including before the Alabama State Legislature in the State Capitol Building and on the main stage of Bicentennial Mall in Philadelphia on July 4th 1976 as part of our nation’s bicentennial celebration.
A former student, remembering her, said “Winnie saw who I actually was, protected me, and showed me that I already was what I hoped to become”. May we all be lucky enough to have such mentors, inspirations, and rescuers, like Winnie Scott. There will be a Celebration of Life for Winifred Scott on Sunday January 27, 2019 at the DeKalb Theater beginning at 2 p.m. All former students, colleagues, and friends are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in honor of Winnie Scott to the Mentone Art and Culture Center, P O Box 515, Mentone AL 35984. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Winifred Larmore Scott please visit our Sympathy Store.
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