Eldest Pastor in the County, Trailblazer and Centenarian
Eldest Pastor in the County, Trailblazer and CentenarianOn April 11, 1918, the Lord blessed Earl and Pearl Wagner of Lexington, N.C. with a beautiful baby girl, Earlene Quetta Wagner. She had two siblings: Harvey Wagner and Hilda Wagner. Upon the untimely death of Pearl Wagner, Earlene and her sister, Hilda, were reared by Madeline Johnson of Amburg, Virginia.
Earlene was educated in the Baltimore Public School System in Maryland. At an early age it was clear Earlene was destined to be a leader.
Earlene was a stunningly gorgeous young woman. She caught the eye of and married Thomas Paul Ireland of Baltimore, Md. In Maryland, this union was blessed with five children: Thomas Paul Jr., David Harvey, Joseph Marshall, Alona Renee and Veronica Ruth.
Paul and Earlene joined Rehoboth Church of God in Christ Jesus at 700 Poplar Grove Street in Baltimore, Md. They were both baptized in The Name of Jesus by the late Bishop Randolph A. Carr and received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost.
In 1944, Deacon Paul and Missionary Earlene moved from Baltimore to New York City. In New York, God further blessed their union with three beautiful girls: Sheila, Michele Susan and Melody LaDawn. Earlene utilized her keen ear for music and formed a successful singing group called “The Starlight Tots” with her trio of girls. Also, in New York, Missionary and Deacon Ireland attended Refuge Temple COOLJC in Harlem at 2081 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., under the leadership of The Late Bishop R.C. Lawson.
Later in life, Earlene moved back to Virginia and married Beverly F. Scott. Earlene and Beverly created a harmonious blended family and she loved his children like her own. Earlene, through this union, became a second mom to: Alice Johnson, Seymour Scott, Theodore Scott and Mary Boyd.
As Earlene resided in Virginia, the call on her life became more apparent. Everywhere Earlene went she witnessed to the lost and broken letting them know of the goodness of Jesus Christ. In 1984, Earlene answered the call and was ordained Pastor of The City of Refuge Church in Hartfield, Virginia by The Late Bishop William S. Barnes Sr. at The Church of God in Christ Jesus Apostolic Holy Convocation. Pastor Scott diligently served until 2015, when she began convalescing due to factors of aging. Up until Pastor Scott’s emeritus status, she was the eldest pastor in Middlesex County.
Pastor Scott was a trailblazer with an innumerable amount of accomplishments. She was the first woman to become a pastor in Middlesex County. Pastor Scott was the first woman of color to be PTA President and also served as the local NAACP President. Pastor Scott was one of the first pastors to start a food pantry. She always had a compassion and zeal to meet the needs of the community, but especially the youth. She was the first pastor in the county, to host the Girl Power! after school program where young women could gather in a safe space and address issues that specifically effected their demographic. Due to her work, in the community, Pastor Scott received The President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award, by President Barack Obama.
Pastor Scott will be remembered as a “walking epistle” because of her knowledge of The Word of God and her ability to teach it with accuracy and precision. Pastor Scott will also be remembered for her ability to cook many dishes, some which include: candied yams, potato salad, and stewed tomatoes. One of her monikers became “The Hat Lady” because she designed one-of-a-kind hats. She enjoyed time with family, fellowship with the saints, cooking, singing but most of all she loved The Lord. Her favorite scripture was, Act 26:22a “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day..”
Early Friday Morning on March 10, 2023, Pastor Earlene Scott took her eternal rest and received her ultimate reward.
Pastor Scott was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Pearl Wagner; brother, Harvey Wagner; sister, Hilda J. Scott; husband of 30 years, Thomas Paul Ireland Sr.; children, David Harvey Ireland, Alona Renee Ireland, Veronica Ruth Ireland, Michael Ireland, Michele Susan Gordon, Theodore Scott, Seymour Scott, Alice Johnson and, husband of 31 years, Beverly F. Scott; nephew, Richard Scott; Sons-In-Love, Robert Gordon Sr. and Herbert Wyoming Sr.; grandchildren, Michele Yvonne Gordon and Anthony Boyd; and one godson, George Smith.
She leaves to cherish her memory, children, Thomas Paul Ireland Jr. (Freddie), Joseph Marshall Ireland, Sheila Outlaw, Melody LaDawn Latimore-Christian, Mary Boyd. Nieces: Madelyn Kidd (Jacob Sr.) and Brenda Cooke; grandchildren, Hope Ireland, Angie Blount, Robbie Blount, Herbert Wyoming Outlaw Jr. (Kimberly), Whitney Outlaw, Veronica Outlaw, Renee Pagliuca (Antonio), Robert Gordon Jr., Dawn Gordon, Danielle Gordon, Michael Gordon, Christopher Gordon, Carl Joseph Gordon, Jessica Gordon, Charles Anthony Latimore II, Charlene Antionette Gresham, Sheila Nicole Latimore, Veda Johnson, Veolia Scott Hawkins (Glenn), Garnell Scott, Sharon Scott, Sandra Scott, Shelton Scott, Catherine Smith, Marty Boyd, Annette Garnett (Lamont); one God-daughter, Michelle Gray-Bradley; and a host of great-grandchildren, cousins, extended family members, loved ones and friends.
A triumphant celebration of life ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 at Grafton Baptist Church in Hartfield. Interment will be at the Grafton Baptist Church Cemetery. Masks are required.
