Ernest Wayne Scott

The Light of God surrounds me; the Love of God enfolds me.

The Power of God protects me, the Presence of God

Watches Over Me. Wherever I am, God Is, and All Is Well.

Ernest Wayne Scott, affectionately known as “Wayne, Scotty, and Ernie,” was born on September 27, 1946, in Berlin Crossroads, Ohio, to the late Orville and Beulah (McDaniel) Scott. Wayne unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 29, 2025.

Wayne was the second of four children and the only son. He was raised in Berlin Crossroads and attended Milton Local School before graduating from Wellston High School. Growing up on a farm, Wayne learned the value of hard work early in life, rising before school each morning to care for cows, chickens, turkeys, cats, dogs, and ducks.

His parents’ property included five extensive gardens: 1) a root vegetable garden featuring potatoes, turnips, carrots, pumpkins, cabbage, collards, and beets; 2) a garden of corn, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions; 3) a strawberry, grape orchard, blackberry, and watermelon garden; and 4) a livestock garden consisting of field corn. 5) A separate garden at the top of the hill was specially cultivated for deer at the request of the Game Warden to help maintain the local population in the Berlin area. His mother’s organic canning and food preparation fostered Wayne’s lifelong love of cooking.

In 1964, Wayne joined the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1966. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, was baptized, and became a faithful member of Liberty Valley AME Church in Beaver, Ohio.

Wayne began his career in Columbus, Ohio, at Battelle Memorial Institute in 1966. He later devoted 35 years of service to the Columbus Transit Company, later known as the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). He retired in April 2004, relocated to Orient, Ohio, and continued to maintain property in Beaver.

Wayne was deeply committed to service, a volunteer firefighter in Beaver, and served as President of the Pike County Chapter of the NAACP. He progressed through all houses of the Masonic Order and became the youngest Potentate of the Alla Baba No. 53 Chapter in Columbus, Ohio, in 1980. He transferred his Masonic membership to the Ionic No. 6 Chapter in Chillicothe, Ohio. At Liberty Valley AME Church, he served as a Steward, faithfully mowing church fields and maintaining the grounds for the annual Card Shoot. He also served as the Facilitator who assisted in negotiating the acquisition of additional land at the Carrs Run Cemetery, adjoining the AME Church.

Wayne’s love of music began with his father, who taught him to chord the guitar and banjo. His father hosted a Sunday radio program, Scotty Sings, where he performed and played gospel music for 25 years. His Aunt Garnet, who played the violin, further inspired him. Surrounded by musical talent, Wayne learned to play guitar, banjo, and piano by ear. After retirement, he fulfilled a long-held desire to learn the violin.

Wayne generously shared his musical gifts, playing guitar or violin at family gatherings, funerals, and by request. He also played and sang weekly during Christian services at Wexner Heritage Village, bringing joy and comfort to residents.

Wayne served as a Trustee of the Rachel Cassel Community Building in Berlin Crossroads, where he maintained the building and grounds, assisted with family events, and cared for the adjacent family cemetery.

Following the passing of his first wife of 35 years, Marva (Smith) Scott, Wayne established the Marva Smith Scott Scholarship, awarding funds to graduating seniors to support their pursuit of higher education.

Wayne’s lifelong love of “tinkering” began in childhood as he assisted his father with repairs for neighbors. Known as the “best shade-tree mechanic,” his talents included electrical, plumbing, heating, and automotive repair. He could restore broken lawn mowers and weed eaters found along the roadside and gift them to anyone in need. Wayne never left a project unfinished and believed in keeping all equipment well-maintained, lubricated, and sharpened.

Above all, Wayne loved his family, community, and fellowship. He found joy in togetherness and even made “deer camp” a time of laughter and bonding. He helped others without expecting anything in return and never met a stranger who did not walk away feeling like a new friend.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Saundra Sue Scott and Janice Kay (Scott) Evans; brother-in-law Lewis Keels; his nephew, James Edward Evans; and his first wife, Marva (Smith) Scott.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 22 years, Anita (Tubbs) Scott of Orient, Ohio; his sister, Garnet Leona (Scott) Keels, also known as “Lee,” of Blackfork, Ohio; his nephew, Howard (Dale) Evans-Zink of Sonoma, California; his niece, Rhonda, also known as “Pooh” (Gregory) Tate of Pickerington, Ohio, and Shannon Stewart-Evans of Dunkirk, Ohio; brother-in-laws Thomas Evans of Dunkirk, Ohio; Robert Turner of Dayton, Ohio; David Turner, and James (Cheryl) Turner of Columbus, Ohio; sister-in-laws Sharon Tubbs of Gahanna, Ohio; Vanessa (Richard) Long, and Pamela Hogan of Dayton, Ohio; special cousin Ronald Jackson; close friends Johnny Jackson, Kevin Dillard, Frank Banks and Travis Johnson, and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends.