Thomas Stratton Scott Sr., 97, of 234 E. Madison St., Covington, Virginia, went to be with the Lord Friday, March 26, 2010.

He was the husband of Helen Jamison Scott.

Mr. Scott was born July 30, 1912, in Bedford County, a son of the late William Rice Scott Sr. and Sara Elizabeth Stratton.

Stratton is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 77 years, Helen Jamison Scott.

As a couple, they were devoted to each other, their family, their church and their friends, both young and old. Stratton and Helen were long-time members of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, where Stratton served as both an elder and deacon. He was a member of the Happy Fellowship Sunday School Class. Believing in offering educational opportunities, Stratton, Helen and their sons established the Scott Scholarship Fund at McAllister Memorial.

Stratton was a 66-year member of Covington Lodge No. 171, AF&AM, being raised Aug. 5, 1943, he served as worshipful master in 1946 and deputy grand master in 1987. He was a member of Martha Chapter 23, Order of the Eastern Star, serving as worthy patron. He was an avid gardener and outdoorsman, actively hunting and fishing into his late 80s. He was a member of the Casteel Hunt Club.

Mr. Scott retired from Westvaco Corp. as a supervisor on No. 8 Paper Machine with 50 years of service to the company. He was also a retired agent for Nationwide Insurance Co.

Stratton can best be described as a strong and gentle man of the highest Christian ideals.

In addition to his wife, he survived by his brother, Hugh Anderson Scott and wife, Jean; two sons, Thomas S. Scott Jr. and fiance, Suzanne Jack, and John Lewis Scott and wife, Fran; grandchildren, Thomas Scott III and wife, Rebecca, and his mother, Sue B. Scott, Patrick H. Scott and wife, Elizabeth, Carol Louise Scott and their mother, Teresa H. Scott, and other grandchildren, John Lewis Scott Jr. and wife, Jill, Watkins Lee Scott and wife, Naomi; great-grandchildren, Tristan and Logan Scott. He is also survived by his dearest friend and brother-in-law, Ray Jamison and wife, Liona; stepsister-in-law, Louise Jamison; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Stratton was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, William Rice Scott Jr., Grigsby Earnst Scott, Pearle Beirne Hubbard, Lewis Burks Scott and sisters-in-law, Florence Scott, Geneva Flint Scott, Pauline Bartley Scott and Arlene Jack Scott.

A funeral service was conducted Monday at 3 p.m. at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Mike Fleenor officiating. Interment followed in Alleghany Memorial Park.

Pallbearers were various nephews, nieces and friends.

Friends may call at the Scott residence at any time. The family received friends Sunday evening at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Masonic Lodge 171, AF&AM, conducted Masonic burial rites at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in memory of Stratton to the Scott Scholarship Fund at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, 900 N. Alleghany Ave., Covington, Va. 24426.

Loving Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

To send condolences to the family online, visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.