Edward "Bernard" Bernard Scott

Bernard Scott, aged 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. He was born Edward Bernard Scott in a small rural home in Henderson, Chester County, Tennessee, while his father was out squirrel hunting. His parents were Tompsie Edward Scott and Virginia Frances Scott, formerly Wilson. Bernard was a 1951 graduate of Chester County High School. He attended many accredited and advanced classes; however, due to rapid promotions and relocations throughout his career, a college degree eluded him. In 1954 he met and married his wife, Jessie.

Bernard was a loving, caring, and generous husband to his wife of 70 years, Jessie and their children Larry & Janet. Bernard had drive, tenacity and a fire in his belly, along with a gentle tenderness for his family and animals.

His parents were poor sharecroppers who found it necessary to move often from farm to farm. At the age of 8, his father gave him a choice to either pick cotton or plow the fields. Because of his love for animals, he chose to plow the fields, so he could work with the mule. Somehow, Bernard managed to live all those years on the farm and never had to slaughter an animal. This is where I must get my love for animals.

When he was a teenager, he had a mare named Daisy. He loved Daisy and would ride her bareback and they were the best of buddies. Bernard’s father told him that they were going to have to get rid of Daisy because they couldn’t afford to keep her. One day Bernard came home from school and Daisy was gone. It was at that moment that he committed that he would NEVER be so poor that he couldn’t take care of his family. I know what a sad day that must’ve been, and that tells us where he got his motivation to succeed!

Bernard retired in 1992 as President of Denny’s Restaurants with 20 years of service. He was highly respected by his colleagues, making many friends with whom to enjoy car clubs, car games, riding his motorcycles, meeting for rallies across the country in their executive motor coach, as well as international recreational travel together.

Spiritual Faith was a key to Bernard’s life, and he and Jessie attended the Immanuel Baptist Church in Oxford, Florida. He was a blessing to those who knew him with a deep caring for his church family.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, Tompsie and Virginia Scott, and his brother Donald Wilson Scott. He is survived by his loving wife, Jessie Mae Scott, formerly Hargrove; and his son Larry Scott of Lady Lake, Florida; his daughter Janet Burke, formerly Scott of Rio Rico, Arizona; 4 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mary Virginia Beshires, formerly Scott of Little Rock, Arkansas.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Oxford Campus, 8015 SE 180th Street, Oxford, Florida on Thursday, December 4th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please remember the First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Oxford Campus.