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Obituary
Reverend Augustus (Gus) Scott Jr.
departed this life on November 17, 2022, at his
residence. He was born on February 24, 1953, to the
late Augustus Scott Sr. and Ida Bell (Armstead)
Scott, in Chicago, IL.
In 1970 Gus graduated from Phillips High School
(Chicago, IL). He then earned a B.S. in mathematics
from Knox College (Galesburg, IL). He went on to
earn a post-graduate degree (M.A.) from Northern
Illinois University (Dekalb, IL) in Public
Administration.
While in college, he managed a band called
“Something For Your Head”. In recent months the band
informed him of their desire to get the band back
together and Gus was looking forward to working with
them once again.
Gus worked for the Illinois Department of
Corrections for 27 years. He retired as the Warden
of Lincoln Correctional Center, Lincoln, IL after
serving in this post for 12 years. While at L.C.C.
he managed the 24-hour overhaul of changing Lincoln
Correctional Center from an all-male prison to an
all-female prison, a massive undertaking. He was
instrumental in establishing the Mommy and Me camp
at Lincoln which allowed incarcerated women and
their children an opportunity to bond outside of the
prison gates. He was the first Black warden at
Lincoln Correctional Center which proved to be
challenging. Throughout his years in corrections, he
also worked in the juvenile division in St. Charles,
IL, as a superintendent at the Pontiac Correctional
Center (Pontiac, IL), and as an Assistant Warden at
Danville Correctional Center (Danville, IL). He also
served in other positions during his IDOC career. He
received many awards and recognitions for his
service. While working at D.C.C he met the love of
his life Kym Ammons-Scott and on August 22, 1992,
they married.
Education was important to Gus. He was elected as
the first Black school board member of the West
Lincoln Broadwell Elementary School District #92
(1999-2006). Gus also taught math at MacMurray
Community College (Jacksonville IL), Richland
Community College (Decatur IL), and Heartland
Community College (Normal IL). He loved working with
students and his calm, confident demeanor helped
many students become confident in their math skills.
Gus always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He opened
his first BBQ restaurant in Danville, IL called “The
Smoke Shack” with a lifelong friend. After moving to
Lincoln, Gus and Kym started Scott’s Catering which
became a sought-after catering company. Years later
he opened another BBQ restaurant in Lincoln, IL
called “Big Gus’s BBQ.” He was able to share his
love for grilling by cooking for the Annual Lincoln
Balloon Fest and the Annual Second Baptist Church
Youth Chicken Dinner where his secret BBQ sauce was
always a hit. Another love Gus shared was the love
of the card game Bid Whist which he spent many hours
playing with friends.
Later in life, Gus heard the calling
of the Lord while a member of Second Baptist Church
in Lincoln, IL. He taught Sunday school to the
teenage class at the church and at state
conventions.
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He then became a deacon and then an ordained
minister, under the leadership of Pastor Glenn Shelton. Gus
served as an Associate Pastor at Second Baptist Church. He
loved being in the presence of men of God. He worked with
the Men’s Ministry, sang in the men’s choir, and assisted in
the planning of annual men’s days, etc.
He was most proud of the accomplishments of his children,
whom he got to see graduate from college. Ashanti Scott of
Normal, IL, Jamaal Scott of Lakeland, Fl, and Janel Scott of
Normal, IL.
For the last almost nine years of his life, Gus lived with
disabilities that resulted from a stroke. During this time,
he learned to lean on God as never before. He mentioned to a
friend that had it not been for the stroke he would have
never known the Lord like he grew to know Him.
Survived by his wife Kym Ammons-Scott, and his children
Ashanti Scott, Jamaal Scott, and Janel Scott; siblings,
Robert Scott of Chicago, IL, Barbara Jean Scott of Chicago,
IL, Leonard (Stacey Cunningham) Scott of Indianapolis, IN;
His nieces and nephews, Samuel Scott, Edward (J.R.) Scott,
Kyle Scott, Eboni Scott, Eric Scott, Ericka Scott, Jameelah
Ammons, and Jade Ammons. As well as a host of cousins,
aunts, uncles, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, and brother Edward Scott.
Services for Augustus were held on, Friday, December 02,
2022, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington.
Condolences and cards can be sent to the Walker Funeral
Service & Chapel, for the family. |
