Frances Lucille McElwee Lee Scott's Obituary
Frances Lucille McElwee Lee Scott, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was born on July 20, 1934, in Augusta, Arkansas, to Franklin Scarborough and Christine Davis McElwee. She grew up in Augusta and was known affectionately as “Baby Sister” by many who knew her, even into her later years. She was crowned as the first Miss Augusta in 1952 and competed in the Miss Arkansas pageant in Newport, Arkansas. Frances was an accomplished pianist, and her first job was playing piano for services at the First Baptist Church of Augusta. She was a vocal performance major at Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas.
Frances met Arthur David Lee in 1952, and they married on June 21, 1953. Together they raised their two daughters, Mari and Christi, in Dallas, Texas, where they lived from 1961 to 1990. While in Dallas, Frances was very active at Preston Hollow United Methodist Church and in her daughters’ activities.
Frances and Arthur moved to Bentonville in 1990 to spend their retirement near Frances’ sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Bob Bogle. Following Arthur’s death in 1998, Frances married Charley Roy Scott on December 23, 2001. Frances was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Bentonville and was also involved in the Bentonville Garden Club, the James Bright Chapter of the DAR, and PEO. She was a board member of the Arkansas Family Health Foundation, the nonprofit that funds ARCare, and was passionate about its mission of providing health and education for Arkansans in need.
Frances loved traveling the world and felt very fortunate to have seen as much of the world as she did. In fact, she set foot on all seven continents, including visiting Antarctica from the southern tip of South America. Importantly, wherever she was, she was a lifelong avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks and Dallas Cowboys.
Frances was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved caring for her family. She will be remembered for her love of family and music and for her warm and welcoming presence. To her grandchildren, she was affectionately known as “Lady,” a fitting moniker.
Frances is preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Arthur David Lee; her parents, Franklin Scarborough and Christine Davis McElwee; and her sister, Marilyn Bogle.
Frances is survived by her husband, Charley Roy Scott of Bentonville, two daughters, Mari Lee Kramer and husband, Kenneth, of Houston, Texas and Christi Lee of Denver, Colorado; stepson Jack Bohannan of Burlington, Kansas; three granddaughters, Dr. Kathryn Kramer of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Carolyn Kramer McCormick and husband, Michael, of Houston, and Rachel Sanders of Bentonville; grandson Will Sanders of Bentonville; two step granddaughters, Emma and Camille Bohannon of Burlington; great-granddaughter, Hazel McCormick of Houston; brother-in-law, Bob Bogle of Bentonville; sister-in-law Janie McNulty of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. Saturday July 17, 2021, at First United Methodist Church Bentonville with Funeral Service starting at 10:00 a.m. A private family burial will take place at Bentonville Cemetery.
Donations may be made to First United Methodist Bentonville 201 NW 2nd Street, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 and ARCare P.O. 497, Augusta, Arkansas 72006.
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