Stephen Scott

Stephen Kyle Scott, 82, of Columbus, GA passed away Monday, May 12, 2025 at St. Francis Hospital.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, May 17, 2025 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church with Rev. Grace Burton-Edwards officiating. A reception will be held following the service in the Parish Hall.

Steve was born April 18, 1943 in Mobile, AL son of the late Gaston Scott and Madeleine Gibbs Scott. Steve is a retired educator and a Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy/Naval Reserve for 28 years, retiring at the rank of captain. Steve enjoys creating things: drawing, writing poems and short stories, teaching music to young people, and mastering the art of storytelling. He has published five children’s books and recently finished a collection of poetry entitled Brain Biscuits. He frequently speaks to elementary school students in their classroom – motivating them to read – and donates scores of his children’s books to schools. In addition, he wrote a blog for Columbus and the Valley Magazine called “Chattin’ the Hooch.”

Steve was a tremendous asset to our community. He helped start and has conducted quarterly graduation ceremonies for the Muscogee County Mental Health Court sponsored by NAMI Columbus (National Alliance on Mental Health) for many years. In addition, on a regular basis he read and told stories to the women at Open Door Community House, focusing his message on hope and prayers.

With an extensive background in music, Steve also coordinated the annual Tuba Christmas concert at the Springer and had served as president of both the Columbus Jazz Society and the Auburn Alumni Band. He helped organize the St. Luke Orchestra and played percussion with them for 20 years.

Steve also played drums with the Columbus Cavaliers big band for five years. Steve founded the Fred Young Fund, a student aid program at Jordan High School, and presented quilts to veterans for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. He was also the creator and coordinator of the annual Uptown Columbus “Strut the Hooch” parade, a tribute to our local wackiness. Last year, Steve retired as president of the Columbus Artists’ Guild.

He was truly an asset to our community, over the years volunteering his time and efforts to help others, from young elementary school children to retired veterans, often forgotten for their heroic deeds. Steve was highly respected in both the retired military and the cultural arts communities, always willing to help others with his time and financial resources.

Steve is survived by his wife of 30 years, Adleyn Scott; his children, Alicia Ritter (Bradley) of Ave Maria, FL, Stephen W. Scott (Anastacia) of Tacoma, WA, Sarah Scott of Cosby, TN, Mark Sturkie (Krista) of Atlanta, GA, Sallye Anne McGrory (Jay) of Columbus, GA, Joannah Neal (Danny) of Columbus, GA; and ten grandchildren.