Rufus J. "RJ" Scott, 82, of Laurel, Mississippi, died Monday, June 1, 2020, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, Mississippi. He was born Wednesday, September 22, 1937, in Laurel, Mississippi.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, Mississippi. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m., at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS with Burial to follow in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He was preceded in death by his father, Al Scott; mother, Thelma Scott.
Survivors include his wife of 29 years Carolyn Scott; daughter, Linda St John (Howard); sons, Wade Scott (Linda Lee), and Eric Scott; sister, Shirley J. Jackson; brother, Jimmy Scott, and 8- grandchildren.
Raised in Laurel, Mississippi, RJ graduated from George S. Gardiner High School in 1955. He volunteered to serve in the US Army in 1959 and was honorably discharged in 1965. He worked in sales and sales management until he retired in 2000.
He was a gifted musician. He played bass and rhythm guitar and he was a marvelous singer. RJ played music in Mississippi, Texas, California, Hawaii, Kentucky and Tennessee. Later in life, he was saved by the blood of Jesus and became a bible student and teacher of Sunday school in Texas and Mississippi. He used his talent as a musician in churches as God opened the doors.
RJ was an avid outdoorsman with fishing his love and continued as his health and circumstances allowed into old age.
In RJ’s own words: Last of all and first of all, I deeply regret having sinned against God but am very grateful to Jesus Christ for the blood that has saved my soul, and wrote my name in the lamb’s book of life. I also wish to apologize to my fellow man for all hurts and insults that I have caused you. Please forgive me, as I have long ago forgiven you.
Online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com
