SSG US Army Retired
Vernita Scott was the third child born to the union of Willie and Willie Mae Morgan on May 24, 1955. She was raised in Hawthorne by her parents along with her two sisters: Anna and Barbara. She attended Mineral County High School and graduated in 1974.
She enlisted in the United States Army where she completed basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. where she met and married Charles B. Scott of Miriam, Ala. After basic training, she attended advanced training in Ft. Sam Houston in Texas.
She was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Wash. and was then assigned to her first overseas duty station in Hanau, Germany from 1981-1984. She was again stationed stateside for a short period to Ft. Carson, Colo. before being stationed in Seoul, South Korea from 1986-1989. She again returned stateside to Denver, Colo. being assigned to Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center where she served the remainder of her military career before retiring in 1994. Although retired, she was called back to active duty during Operation Desert Storm and during that time she achieved a promotion in rank to Staff Sergeant before retiring again as a disabled veteran.
Vernita was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the early 1980s. This form of lupus can affect nearly every part of the body, including the skin, joints, lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, and blood. Although SLE symptoms sometimes disappear, the disease doesn’t go away. In spite of this terrible disease, Vernita was always on the go, whenever she could be. She often took time to spend with family and friends, being in service to the Lord as an usher and a dedicated student.
During her military career, Vernita never stopped expanding her education. She earned her first Associates Degree from the University of Maryland early in her career and two others from the Community College of Aurora. After she retired the second time, she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado in 1996. Truly believing learning was a lifelong activity, Vernita recently graduated from Anthem College with an Associates of Science Degree in Limit Scope X-ray on April 17, 2014.
Vernita was an excellent mother, who always strove to provide an example of dedication and excellence to her daughters, LaShawna and Charlene. She also was there to parent and provide for the children of her sister Barbara (Elena; Maygan; Terrenis (TJ); and LaTrease) after she passed unexpectedly from lupus as well. She was a dutiful daughter to her parents, and cared for her aunt, BenAnna Mosely, who suffered from Alzheimer’s until her passing. She was a doting grandmother to three grandchildren (DeVaughn; William; and Evonne) and was ready to spoil her newest granddaughter (who is yet to make an entrance in this world, Zariyah). Whoever had the chance to encounter Vernita was touched by her caring and loving nature as well as her smile. She was always willing to help, share knowledge, and open her heart to any that were in need.
She had a strong faith in God and it showed in the fruits of her spirit by the blessing she was able to be to others. Her will and determination just to be here for her family and friends in the face of many battles with her health is a lasting example of the goodness of the Lord to her and those who loved her. During these last days and weeks, the battle with lupus became too much and her physical strength faltered, although her faith and determination did not. The family was blessed to have one last day to talk, laugh, and share many past memories with her. It is a considerable comfort and joy to the family that although her decline was rapid at the end, she transitioned from this life surrounded by those who loved her deeply and with the dignity and grace deserved by those who served the Lord, their family, and their country with unswerving dedication.
Vernita was preceded in death by her parents: Willie and Willie Mae, as well as her sister Barbara and aunt BenAnna. Vernita Scott left this life to be with our heavenly Father on May 18, 2014. She leaves to mourn her loss and to forever cherish memories of her include her former husband Charles B. Scott, Denver, Colo.; her two daughters, LaShawna M. (Paul) Tye, Denver and Charlene J. (Jeramie) Scott, Dallas, Texas; her grandson, William Morgan, Denver; and granddaughters, DeVaughn S. Morgan, Denver; Evonne D. Johnson, Denver; and soon arriving, Zariyah Gilliard, Dallas; a sister, Anna R. Morgan, Hawthorne; her nephews Terrenis J. Kelley and Ondrey J. Kelley, Denver; her nieces: Elena N. (Brent) Sellers; Maygan E. Kelley; LaTrease S. Morgan; Aiyanna N. Sellers; and Kyndra S. Morgan, Denver; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
Committal service for Vernita, were held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver on May 27, 2014, with United States Army Honors.
