Sarah Virginia Scott James, age 65, died on December 22, 2020, in hospice care at North Hill Nursing &Rehabilitation Center in Birmingham, Alabama. She is survived by several cousins.
Sarah Virginia was born on February 5th, 1955, to Timothy Varian and Sarah Watts Scott in Mobile, Alabama. Raised by loving parents on a small farm off Dauphin Island Parkway, Sarah Virginia adored her pets-especially Blackie, her dog, and Star Face, her horse. She often recalled happy days of flounder-gigging, fishing & boating on Mobile Bay; visiting her father’s birthplace on Cayman Brac; and gathering at her grandmother Albertha Scott’s home on South Georgia Avenue for family holidays and Sunday dinners. Her childhood was also filled with fond memories of spending time with her grandparents, Sally and Henry Watts, on Mobile Street, also a gathering place for family where Sarah Virginia formed close bonds with her maternal cousins. She also looked forward to visits with her mother to see her Mississippi cousins. Like her mother, Sarah Virginia wanted to become a teacher. Following graduation in Mobile, she attended Judson College and graduated with a degree in early childhood education from Mobile Christian University (University of Mobile). She began to work in the Birmingham Public School system in the 1980s. Always an avid reader, that was her favorite subject to teach children. A true Mobile native, Sarah Virginia’s passion was good southern food, particularly seafood. Her birthday request was always for “a whole flounder, with the tail & fins fried crispy!” She relished a good cup of coffee, any time of the day.
Sarah Virginia was forced into early retirement by her health, and resided in several long term care facilities for more than 20 years. She was delighted when her former students renewed their relationships with her as they found jobs there. You could often hear her singing an old hymn long before reaching her room, but Christmas carols were her favorite, all year long. She enjoyed birthdays, holidays and any reason to celebrate. Sarah Virginia had a colorful collection of southern sayings, and often ended her visits with these parting words: “Love you a bushel & a peck & a hug around the neck!”
February 5, 1955 - December 22, 2020 (age 65)
A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, August 9th, 2021, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
