Rita Fay Scott

Rita Fay Johnson Scott was the 6th out of 8 children born to Frank and Lavene (Brokeshoulder) Johnson. She was born on July 16, 1954 inside a little house that still sits on original Indian Allotment land just outside Marietta, OK. She passed from this life on April 11, 2021 in Ada, OK where she resided since coming to school at East Central University the fall after her 1972 graduation from Marietta High School.

While attending ECU, Rita met Larry Scott at the Bible Chair. They had their first date at "The Sonic" and eventually married over Labor Day weekend on Sept. 4 ^th , 1976. It had to be over the long weekend because she had just started teaching at Vanoss High School as their art teacher. Together they have one daughter, Lesley, and one son, David. They were also host parents to several exchange students: Robert from El Salvador, Ulrike from Germany, Phoebe from Hong Kong, and Rosamonde from France, who all held a very special place in her heart.

Rita received both her bachelor's and master's degree from East Central University. She was a fantastic educator and her small school district in south central Oklahoma had one of the best art departments in the entire state. Teaching was her passion and she was excellent at cultivating creativity in anyone. It infuriated her whenever someone would say "I can't be in art, I can't draw!" Mrs. Scott taught in the same classroom for the entirety of her career from 1976 until she retired in 2007. She taught that art was not just drawing: her students learned sculpting, mixed media, batiks, mosaic, computer design, beading, and so much more. She ran a competitive program and every year many of her students were state and national competition winners, often receiving medals, trophies, cash and scholarships. Among her former students are independent artists, graphic designers, and art educators. She was very proud to be a teacher.

Rita was not only a passionate teacher, she was also an avid creator, often entering her own works into competitions and winning. Her creative mind was always going. Her own children never knew what new creation they were going to find around the house. One morning they woke up to a mural in the laundry room that she'd finished overnight. For nearly 30 years she created little 8x10 'Personality Names.' These hand-drawn, personalized names traveled to all the 50 states and at least 20 different countries. She was a craft show mainstay and if you ever had the privilege to have either one of her children as students, then you received one as an end of the year teacher gift.

In addition to being an arts educator, she was also a Native American educator. She was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation and as the Indian Education Coordinator for her district she often wrote grants specifically geared toward bettering her school and her Native American students. She was a multi-year winner of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum annual art show, with her favorite win being the People's Choice Award, and in 1998 had the honor to be selected as the Oklahoma Indian Educator of the Year.

She was baptized into Christ while at ECU and was a faithful member of the Central Church of Christ in Ada, often teaching Bible classes, hosting events and sending cards to those in need.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Lavene; her father-in-law Charles Scott; a brother-in-law Tim Scott; 4 older brothers: Calvin (Sonny), Jim (Tiny), Ronnie and Bill; her younger brother Kenneth (Pookie); one nephew who was like a brother, Russell; and a sister-in-law, Lavelle Johnson.

She is survived by her husband Larry Scott of the home. They were married 44 years, 7 months, and 7 days. Also daughter Lesley Scott Rackley and husband Lee of Norman, son David Scott and girlfriend Dawn of Edmond. Mother-in-law Ann Scott Thompson of Ada. Two sisters: Shirley Thompson and husband Edwin of Marietta and Barbara Williams of Marietta. Surviving in-laws are: Lorraine Johnson of Madill, Andrea Johnson of Durant, Virginia Johnson of Ardmore, Tony and Robbie Scott of Edmond, and Greg and Kathy Scott of Spring Branch, TX. She will also be greatly missed by her many nieces, nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, and dear family friend Jane Dupy, whom Rita met on the first day of school at ECU when they were just 18 years old.

Services will be held at Central Church of Christ on Wednesday April 14 ^th , 2021 at 11:00. The family asks that masks and social distancing guidelines be followed.

Those who wish to do so may donate to the Arts or Christian charity of their choice in her memory.