Mertha Lee Scott Ransom, affectionately known as “Mert” was born on Friday, May 1, 1936 in Freestone County, Teague, TX. She was the first daughter born to Joe and Ruby Stevens Scott.
Mertha received her education in the Teague ISD and was a JA Brooks/Booker T. Washington alumna. She was known to travel to various talent shows representing her school as a soloist with schoolmate E.V. Moore as her pianist.
She united with Salem Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. She met James L. Ransom while in high school and they were married on November 12, 1953. They welcomed four children into this union, Bettie Joyce, Joan Patrice, Janice Marie, and James Marcus. They moved to Fairfield to raise their family and Mertha united with Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church, and served faithfully for over 60 years.
She was employed as a Nurses’ Aid at Freestone County Hospital in Fairfield and in 1969 she was employed by Fairfield Elementary School with as a Teachers’ Aid. She loved working with children and taught and tutored long after her work day was complete. She retired from FISD in 2000 but because of her love and concern for children, she later returned as a teacher for alternative school and as a bus monitor.
She loved reading her Bible and was actively involved in church work. She gained a deeper understanding of the Word of God by completing structured theology courses. When she obtained her first computer, she made sure a Bible application was installed so that she could easily research and share scriptures. She enjoyed singing in the church choir using her melodious voice as lead soprano throughout the years, regularly participating in the Federation of Choirs. Some of her other service at Fairfield MBC included Mission I President, Children’s Sunday School Teacher, BTU Teacher, VBS Coordinator and Instructor, Praise Dance Ministry, Youth Director, and later Director of Education. She also represented FMBC in the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Lebanon District Baptist Association serving as Secretary.
She later reunited with Salem MBC where she remained a faithful member and attended regularly as long as her health allowed.
Mertha will aways be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who loved cooking, sewing, reading, tutoring, gardening, collecting cook books, visiting the sick and shut in, taking care of her grandchildren who called her “MyMa”, traveling to Houston, and spending time with family. She opened her home to welcome those from near and afar.
Mertha entered into eternal rest on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 3:37 AM with her children by her side.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers: Horace (Johnny) Scott, Rev. Billy Joe Scott, Arthur Riley Scott, Robert Scott; one sister: Shirley Scott Caddell and her cousin whom she always considered as her brother, LC (Snook) Scott.
Left to cherish her life and legacy are her three daughters: Bettie Joyce Bennett (Aubrey); Joan Patrice Barnes (Donald); Janice Marie Daniels (Larry); one son, James Marcus Ransom (Thelma); 12 grandchildren: Harold Eugene Bennett, Sr., Aubrey Gerrod Bennett (Kenetria), Carmesha Strawther, Justin Ryan Bennett (Erika), Courtnee Strawther, Chasitee Strawther, Terrance James Bennett (Tasha), Amanda McDonald (Ricky), Korey Marquis Ransom, Chelsea Latrice Strawther, Aliyah Markesha Bell (Walt), Jordan Lee Barnes; 22 great grandchildren: Harold, Jr., Kaylyn, Cameron, Jaylon, Vonte, Shamari, Keydren, Kahron, Kenyon, Aiden, Imani, Jeremiah, Autumn, Brooklynn, Lundyn, Aubree, Kyrie, Emery, Hendrix, Cailynn, Alijah, Maleah; 3 great-great grandchildren: Ivy, Maliyah, Paisley; goddaughter: Tracy Askey; three sisters: Maye Carroll, Yvonne Gillespie, Debra Housley (Kenneth); three brothers: Reuben Scott (Gloria), Henry Wayne Scott (Margaret), Tony Scott; three step-sisters: Princella Burks, Estella Talbert, Sandra Green; one step-brother: Wilmer Brooks. She will be fondly remembered by James L. Ransom.
