Dr. Willodene Alexander Stewart SCOTT

SCOTT, Dr. Willodene Alexander Stewart Passed away on August 14, 2011. Willodene was the fourth of five children of Jesse Cary and Maud Goff Alexander, born September 4, 1922 at Alexander Springs, TN. She graduated from Lawrence County High School and entered George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, TN in the fall of 1941. By 1947, she had earned her B.A. and B.S in L.S. degrees, and started her professional career with the Nashville Public School System, later the Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Public School System, serving as Librarian on all grade levels and later as Director of Instructional Materials and Library Services. She knew when she was in eighth grade that she wanted to be a librarian. Willodene enjoyed working with children of all age levels, serving on the faculties of Sylvan Park Elementary School, Waverly Belmont Junior High School, Howard High School, Peabody Demonstration School, McCann Elementary School, Brookmeade Elementary School, and as Director of Library Services of the Instructional Materials Department of Metro Schools. From 1950 thru 1972, she was a visiting Summer Faculty Member in The Library School of George Peabody College. In 1970, she was chosen by Governor Buford Ellington as one of the Tennessee Representatives to the White House Conference on Children, Washington, DC. She was National President of Peabody Alumni Association from 1977 thru 1979. From 1984 thru 1987, she served on the State Library Advisory Committee for the Tennessee Department of Education. The Tennessee Library Association honored her in 1986, by presenting her the TLA Honor Award for significant contributions to the improvement of library services in Tennessee. In 1986, she received her Ph.D. degree in Educational Leadership from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Willodene was very active in numerous educational and library organizations. In 1955, she was one of the organizing members of the Woman's National Book Association of Nashville, and was the only surviving charter member for a number of years. From 1972 to-date, she was listed in Who's Who of American Women and other Who's Who publications. In 1967, she was the organizing treasurer of the Buffalo River Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lawrenceburg, TN. In February 2002, she transferred to the Robert Cooke Chapter, Nashville, TN. In 1983, she was invited to become a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Beta Chapter Society, Nashville, TN, an organization recognizing master educators. After retirement, she became a member of the Woman's Club of Nashville, The Great Books section. Needlework, travel and reading were among her many past time pleasures. Her retirement from the Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Public School System was July 4, 1987 after 40 years of educational service. Dr. Scott was first married to Woodrow Marshall Stewart, in Albany, GA in 1943. S/Sgt Stewart was in the U.S. Air Corps at Turner Field, Albany, GA, and later in the China-Burma-India Theater of WWII. S/Sgt Stewart died of a brain tumor in 1957. Dr. Scott's second marriage, in 1959, was to educator Dr. Ray Donald Scott, who survives. She is also survived by daughter, Pamela Dean Scott (Mrs. John Philip Saal); grandson, Jeremy Alexander Saal, Nashville, TN; two nieces, Claudia Woodward Shepard (George) of Jacksonville, FL and Kathy Burns Gilbreath (Cecil) of Alexander Springs, TN, and four nephews, Leslie Burns (Faye) of Maury County, TN, Wayne Burns and Danny Burns (Cindy) of Alexander Springs, TN, and Randy Burns (Ann) of Williamson County, TN. Willodene was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, William Floyd Alexander, Jesse Earl Alexander; sisters, Mary Katherine Alexander Woodward and Bernice Alexander Burns; niece, Margaret Floye Alexander and nephew, Cary Woodward. In September 1952, she joined Immanuel Baptist Church where she actively served in teaching roles, study groups and on numerous committees, including service on the Church Library Staff. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Blvd., conducted by Dr. David George, Pastor Emeritus and Pastor Steven Meriwether. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2011 and one hour prior to service at Immanuel Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to be made to the Library of Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205 or an organization of your choice. Burial will be in the John Lay Cemetery, Ethridge, TN. Nephews will serve as Pallbearers. MARSHALL DONNELLY COMBS, (615) 327-1111.