Alfred “Fred” Scott, 71, was born June 27, 1954, in Newport News, Virginia, to Carl Ashby Scott, Jr. and Grace Scott. He passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025, at York Acute Rehabilitation Center in Yorktown after a period of declining health.

Fred attended Newport News Public Schools, Menchville High and graduated in 1972. He proudly identified as a “Carver Trojan” after spending grades 9–11 there before mandatory busing. Gifted in math and art, he trained at the Apprenticeship School for Painters and worked with local companies before joining the City of Newport News Building Services Department. Known as the “singing painter,” he was highly skilled and generously shared his talents with family, friends, and on many Kingdom Hall projects.

Fred retired from the City of Newport News in June 2016 after 33 years of service. At his celebration, his supervisor remarked, “You represented Jehovah well.” On October 8, 1975, Fred married Barbara Jean Banks. Together they were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses in February 1976 in Hampton, beginning a 50-year theocratic journey. On October 8, 2025, he marked their golden anniversary by attending his Christian meeting via Zoom from Riverside Regional Hospital with Barbara by his side. Fred faithfully served as a ministerial servant and elder for 35 years in the Newport News East and Oyster Point Congregations, holding privileges such as Theocratic Ministry School Overseer, Service Overseer, and Field Service Group Overseer. He attended Pioneer Service School and the School for Congregation Elders. After retiring in 2016, he devoted 10 years to full-time service as a regular Pioneer, cherishing his ministry with the young brothers and sisters at Oyster Point. Fred served in the Accounting and Audio-Visual Departments at Regional Conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses and delivered public discourses at Circuit, District, and Regional Conventions. A highlight of his theocratic service was traveling with Barbara to International Conventions in Hawaii, Mexico, Australia, and Brazil.

Fred was a natural conversationalist and, after learning Jehovah’s promises, eagerly shared the truth with others. His childhood friends—Steve Hunter, Rony Anthony, and Cannie Braswell became his spiritual brothers. He was a devoted minister, teacher, and Bible study conductor, helping many reach baptism. Fred shared godly wisdom not only with his congregations but also with his family. He was the trusted spiritual guide for his in-laws, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and others, always offering God’s counsel rather than his own. Fred’s last words to the Oyster Point Congregation came after the Special Talk on September 28. We will cherish that moment, remembering the strong voice of our dear Brother Alfred “Fred” Scott—a classic Fred Scott comment.

Fred was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend—one who “stuck closer than a brother.”

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ralph and Charlotte Bland; maternal grandmother, Lela Perry Royal; and his father and stepmother, Carl Ashby Scott, Jr. and Lillian Scott-Lewis.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Jean Scott; daughter, Jonna Sharrell Scott-Blakes; son-in-law, Jonathan Antonio Blakes; grandson, Jonathan Antonio Blakes II; mother, Grace Scott; sisters, Sylvia Ayres (Mark) and Stephanie Scott; sisters-in-law, Helen Baker, Dr. Yvonne McClanahan, and Christine Christian (Leon); along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

The memorial service for Alfred “Fred” Scott will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 345 Grissom Way Newport News, VA 23606 Saturday December 6, 2025 at 12pm. If you are unable to attend in person, the service will be available on Zoom. Information is available below.

Zoom Information
Zoom Meeting ID: 972 67524939
Passcode: 130317