Dr. Thomas Scott McCay

1929 - 2015

Dr. Scott McCay

Jackson

On the morning of August 20, 2015, beloved husband, father, and grandfather Thomas Scott McCay, Sr. passed away at home with his loving wife Bettye by his side. He was 86 years old.

Scott was born on August 4, 1929 in Utica, Claiborne County, Mississippi, the second son of Mattie Ellis McLemore and Gadi Lum McCay.

Though quiet by nature, Scott was blessed from his earliest years with a knack for developing deep and lasting friendships. He met one of his dearest life long friends, Kenneth Vaughan, in first grade. Another treasured friend was his advisor and mentor at Mississippi College, Dr. William O. "Doc" Saddler. Many other dear friends, too many to name, blessed his life. Scott put a high value on relationships. He cared sincerely for each person he met and was known to record names of new acquaintances in a small notebook kept in his pocket. He derived great pleasure in making others smile and in finding ways to make them feel special. In his unassuming way he did much good for others behind the scenes.

After graduating from Mississippi College, Scott attended medical school at the University of Mississippi from 1950-51 and Johns Hopkins University from 1951-53. Following an internship at Charity Hospital, New Orleans, he completed residency at the School of Aviation Medicine, USN. He served as a Flight Surgeon in the United States Navy, stationed in Korea from 1955-1957.

Scott began his career as a caring and loved physician in Belzoni, Mississippi. As testament to the high regard patients felt for him, a notable number of children born in Belzoni during his tenure bear his name. After eight years of general practice, he returned to the University Medical Center for a radiology residency and became one of Mississippi's first board certified radiologists. He worked at Saint Dominic Hospital as a staff radiologist from 1968 until 1978 and as Chief of Radiology from 1978 until 1996. He also practiced at Mississippi Diagnostic Imaging. Throughout his career Scott was active in the Mississippi State Radiological Society and the American College of Radiology, serving as Journal Editor of the Mississippi Radiological Society and as Mississippi Councilor to the American College of Radiology. He was honored as a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and was faithful in his service to this Society until his retirement. He was actively involved throughout his career in radiology education, serving as Clinical Instructor at UMMC from 1968-1996 and in the School of Radiology Technology at Saint Dominic Hospital from 1968-78.

Also active in the community, Scott served as a Rembrandt contributor to the Mississippi Museum of Art, a host for the International Ballet Competition, a volunteer with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and as Chairman of the Board of American Bank. He was a faithful member of the vestry at Saint Stephen's Reformed Episcopal Church.

Scott was preceded in death by his brother Gadi Lum McCay, Jr., his sister, Martha Streibeck Broadus, and his first wife Bonnie Barham McCay. Following her untimely passing, he was fortunate to win the hand of Bettye Higdon McCay, with whom he shared 35 beautiful years. He is survived by Bettye and their large blended family including children Barry McCay (Ellen), Kim Simmons, Scott McCay, Jr., Kay McNabb (Venton "Bubba"), Jan McGraw; grandchildren Haley McCay Arndt (Karl), Michelle McCay Richardson (Matt), Lauren McCay Whitehead (Ross), Brad McCay (Olivia), Kimberly Simmons McMullin, Elizabeth Clark Simmons, Melissa McNabb Dabagia (Mark), Corley McNabb Wicker, Venton "Beau" McNabb (Kristen), Suzanne McGraw David (Ken), Emily McGraw Vestal (Ryan), Mary Margaret McGraw Boulton (Bruce), and 24 adored great grand children. He is also survived by his sister, Peggy McCay Harlow, and cousin Jack Sistrunk (Lib).

The family wishes to thank Hope Easterling , Alice Collins, Shirley Clark and Lanell Boler for their tireless and compassionate care during this difficult time. A special thanks, too, to the community at Saint Stephens Reformed Episcopal Church.

Visitation will be held at Wright & Ferguson, Highland Colony Parkway, Tuesday, August 25, 4 until 7. A memorial service will be held Wednesday for family and church members at Saint Stephens Reformed Episcopal Church, Flowood, at 11:00 with visitation at 10:00.

Memorials may be made to Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, Saint Jude's Children's Research Hospital, or Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

Beloved Scott, Dad, Grangrang, you were always loving, always forgiving, ready with a smile and a second chance, always patient and expecting the best from us. We will miss you so, and look forward to the day we are together again through Christ Jesus our Lord.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day—and not me only but also to all who have longed for His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8