Obituary of Adelaide Scott

Adelaide Sophie Hall Scott, the daughter of the late Anna G. and Leroy Haynes Hall, Sr., was born on July 2, 1938, in Newark, NJ. She was the second born between an older sister and 2 younger siblings, Adelaide displayed the same determination and strength throughout her entire life as she did when she was born. After having her first daughter Dorothy, Adelaide's mother, Anna G., was diagnosed with having a twisted womb which meant no more babies. 6 years later, Adelaide fought through that twisted womb and was born on July 2, 1938. Yes, she was always special. Her outgoing personality as a child displayed a very special kind of relationship with her father. The family took notice of her ability to sometimes charm her elderly father and then possess the courage to sometimes challenge him, which was not a highly recommended thing to do. It was not a question of love, but the making of a strong woman. Fiery would be an appropriate adjective to describe young Adelaide's personality.

Born into an already creative family, she loved to tap dance as a youth. She was a constant winner at amateur night at her school Robert Treat in the 50's. As a teenager, she won several local beauty contests with her natural beauty. In 1955, at the tender age of 17, she won the highly sought after Newark award "Miss Sepia North Jersey”, sponsored by WNJR Radio Station. Adelaide went to Arts High School in Newark where she graduated in 1956. She majored in Art and focused on Fashion Designing. She had already been designing and making her own clothes since she was a young teenager. While attending high school as a freshman, she was a cheerleader, and was mesmerized by an upperclassman, a gymnast and track star, also at Arts High. His name was Paul L. Scott. Needless to say, their lives were never the same after that for both of them. They were married on July 8th 1956 and on July 6, 1957, they had their first born, Paul L. Jr. By 1964, they had 3 more children, Jeffrey Lee, Shelley Ann and Adelaide Lynn. They were the Scotts and they lived in the Baxter Terrace Projects in Newark NJ. 

Now a mother of four, her life as a creative with 4 kids was very trying to say the least, but Adelaide was still a dreamer, an artist with a vision, and a fiery personality. Once again, she was determined; this time to raise her family in a house. She wanted a big backyard for her family to run around in. So, in the winter of 1966, right before the Newark riots in 1967, Adelaide and Paul made some things, good things, happen and the Scotts moved to the suburbs of Plainfield, NJ, where she and her family resided at 141 Berkeley Terrace for 58 years. At 37 Boston St., the house where Adelaide was born and raised, was the neighborhood beauty salon owned and operated by Adelaide's mother, Anna G. So, Adelaide was no stranger to life as a beautician and having a salon in her house. Adelaide attended Wilford Beauty Academy and received her beautician license. Her husband Paul converted the basement into a salon and the rest is history. Many people would come to know Mrs. Scott and the Scott family on Berkeley Terrace and one thing they all knew that she was the matriarch. We knew she was the star of the family.

Years went by. Her children grew up and had families of their own. Scotty, as people called her, could be seen up and down the street talking with old and new neighbors. She was still the reigning queen of the block. She absolutely loved doing yard work, including cutting the lawn and even shoveling snow. We were blessed with a tough mother. She was extremely independent but her love for her family until the end was never in question. She left this world in the care of her family who were by her side until her last breath. She will be missed deeply, but her spirit lives on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren She was a believer of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Adelaide was proceeded in death by her husband Paul L. Scott Sr, her beloved daughter Shelley Scott Parham: parents Anna G. and Leroy H. Hall Sr, her siblings Dorothy Leigh and Leroy H. Hall Jr. Adelaide leaves to cherish her memory her three children: Paul (Michele) Scott, Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Jeffrey Scott of Williamstown, NJ, and Adelaide (Kelvin) Thompson of Somerset, NJ; (12) grandchildren: Shelice, Jamar, Janeeka, Quinton, Chanel, Briana, Danielle, Brianne, Jarred, Stephen, Jonathan, and Aaron, along with (7) great-grandchildren: Paul, Loron, Devont'e, Naomi, Carter, Yara, and Chloe; (1) sister Marian McDuffie & daughter Meryl of East Orange, NJ, and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 beginning at 10am at the South Plainfield Funeral Home 2456 Plainfield Ave. South Plainfield, NJ 07080.