Frances Heath Scott died peacefully on December 30th, 2024, at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, VA. Her son Heath Scott and her daughter-in-law Heidi Compton were both by her side.
Fran was born on October 27th, 1943, in Newport News, and lived her entire life there, or as she would always say “in God’s country.” She graduated as Valedictorian from Newport News High School in 1962 and was extremely active in band and playing multiple sports, including field hockey and basketball. She then went on to double major in Biology and History, receiving a Bachelor of Science from Longwood College in 1966, also as Valedictorian.
Fran began working for the Newport News Public School System in 1966 as a teacher of Biology, Chemistry, and Genetics. After several years teaching, she received a master’s degree in counseling from the College of William and Mary. Fran served the rest of her 38 years in the school system as a Guidance Counselor, most of which were spent at her beloved Warwick High School. While at Warwick, she stayed extremely active, sponsoring numerous clubs and organizations, including the cheerleaders and the National Honor Society.
Fran’s impact on Newport News is truly immeasurable. The number of people who have reported that they “wouldn’t have graduated without Mrs. Scott” are countless.
Fran was one of the most selfless and generous people you would ever want to meet, and always put family and friends before herself. Nothing made her happier than sitting at Lion’s Bridge in Newport News with the love of her life Tommy Scott, or going on drives with her son, daughter-in-law, and favorite dog Ozo.
Fran was a lifelong member of Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church, and always looked forward to volunteering at the church. She loved her church family as much as her “real” one. She stayed very active up until she passed, helping manage communication and gatherings for her high school class, and frequently visiting with various groups of friends.
It would be impossible to list all the friends that she had and communicated with on a regular basis.
Fran was preceded in death by her mother and father Tommy and Sabrina Heath, sister Bette Heath, and husband James T. Scott. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Heath Scott and Heidi Compton, granddaughters Ani and Veda Scott, cousins Peggy and Hoke Oliver, Diane Scott, Weenie Scott, and Smith James.
A visitation will be held on Thursday. 1/9/2025 at Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30pm, The funeral service at church will be Friday, 1/10/2025 at 10:00 a.m., followed by Interment in Peninsula Memorial Park, and a reception at the church.
Heath and Heidi would like to thank the incredible team of nurses and doctors at Riverside Hospital, who were so wonderful to our mom and treated us like family during the hardest time of our lives. A special thank you to John Waite, Nurse Practitioner and family friend, who went above and beyond the final week of our mom’s life to ensure she got excellent care, and that we were comforted during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to THRIVE Peninsula. 12749 Nettles Dr. Newport News, VA 23606. 757.877.6211.
5 Comments
Fran was special. She will be missed by many.
Fran was much loved and respected by so many! She leaves a big hole in this world!
Frances was one of the finest and giving person I, my wife and family members have ever known. She was always avaible in times of need. We met Frances and Tommy on our Honeymoon in the Pocono Mountains in November 1968 and managed to celebrate many anniversaries together. Our children managed to spend many days together on Smith Beach in their younger days. Frances has now joined Tommy and may the rest knowing they made this world better.
Fran was my biology teacher at Warwick High. She made the class so interesting and was a great educator. She was always interested in her students.
She was a special lady and will be missed. God bless her family.
Mrs, Scott was my biology teacher and senior class sponsor for the class of 1970. She was an incredibly positive force in my high school years, always a smile on her face and a word of encouragement. I have never forgotten the impact she had on me and encouraged me to become a nurse, which I did. I was truly meant to be a nurse but would not have realized it without Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Humphries, our school nurse, cheering me on…