Carlottia Ann Washington Scott
Carlottia Scott Obituary
Carlottia Ann Washington Scott, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, political activist, speaker, teacher, and mentor, made her transition peacefully, on February 27th, 2024 surrounded and held by the love of her family in her home in Surfside, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents Harvey Lorenzo Washington and Florence Broyles Washington of El Paso, her stepmother Mazie Ross Price, and Mildred Parish Massey whom she referred to as "Mother" after losing her own.
Carlottia was preceded in death by her sisters Harvey Mae Hughes of El Paso, and Carmen Carter of Kansas City, and Jacqueline Mazie Dorothy Davis Brooks of Los Angeles, and her brothers-in-law Larry Scott, Oakley Jr Scott, Charles Scott, and Sam Allen of Ohio, sister-in-law Nancy Scott, nieces Dana Jo Brown of Texas, Andrea Moody and Tracy McGath of Ohio in addition to her nephew Clifford Sessions Ill of New York.
Carlottia is survived by her three children, Kimberley Scott-Olson ( Matthew) of Bainbridge Island, WA, Kevin Scott of Los Angeles, California, and Kristen Scott Maklary (Frank) of Myrtle Beach; five grandchildren, Alex, Brandon Maklary (Brittani), Cody Maklary, Bennett and Lydia Olson. She is survived by four great-grandchildren, Mason, Elizabeth, Maya, and Atlas, as well as her God daughters, Lilian Rodriquez (Greer) and Maria Ashwell of Virginia, and their children. She is survived by Mildred Massey's daughters, who are like sisters to her, Barbara Lee (Clyde) Mildred Whitfield (Calvin), and Beverly Hardy (Martin), and all of their children and grandchildren.
Carlottia is also survived by nieces Diane Hughes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Yvonne Saez, Dewayne Riddle, and Valerie Sessions Townes of Los Angeles California, and Zaharaa Azim of New York, New York. Carlottia is survived by her ex-husband Ralph Scott (Alfreda) of Goldsboro, NC, their children Miranda and Blake Scott (Mandy), granddaughter Leah, and Ralph's sisters, her sisters-in-law of Ohio, (Linda Allen, Clarice Moody, Terry Wright (Dennis), Kimberly Scott, Cynthia Scott McElroy, Oneida Pickar) their children, and grandchildren as well as the children and grandchildren of her deceased nieces, nephew and brothers in law. She is survived by numerous cousins throughout Texas as well as Chicago cousins Fannie M. Drisdale Bart and her brothers.
This past year was filled with hospital visits and stays at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston where she was known as a twenty-two-year-old named Minnie Mouse, AKA Ms. Scott. She touched the lives of the staff there as much as they touched and enhanced hers. She was a brave, brilliant, beautiful, funny, and remarkable woman who had an upbeat outlook on life.
Carlottia served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Ronald V Dellums, where she coordinated Nelson Mandela's first US visit in 1990. She served as an advisor to the Mandela Freedom Fund and worked alongside Nelson Mandela to establish an election system in South Africa. She served as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Barbara Lee and as Chief of Politics for the Democratic National Committee (DNC). She was an adjunct professor to the Department of Political Science and practicum advisor to the School of Social Work at Howard University. She co-founded the African American Women's Fund and served as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Peace Action. Her consulting and strategic planning have helped run Democratic campaigns across the country.
Being an operative in the political arena was one of Carlottia's greatest passions. She enjoyed working with women, youth, and teaching. She traveled the world for work and pleasure and was always a fan of sunrises over the water, nature, beaches, animals, music, laughter, and empowering women.
In her retirement, she served as a consultant for professional and political training, facilitation, and organizational development while participating in local politics as a precinct leader, and a delegate to SC Democratic convention representing Horry County.
The Surfside Community may have known her from her involvement with Unity Church where she attended services, helped find their most recent location, and served as board president for six years. Some may know her from the work she did at the Myrtle Beach Elementary School, encouraging improved reading and literacy rates. She was involved in the Southenders Democratic Club, The Red Hat Society, Southwood Water Aerobics, AARP Myrtle Beach/Conway chapter, Democratic Women's Council for Horry County (DWCHC) where she served on the scholarship committee for several years.
Though Carlottia is known by many for her political experience and contributions from South Africa to South Carolina, from the Caribbean to California, and her involvement in a wide range of organizations from Emily's List to UBAN (University of Texas at El Paso Black Alumni Network) she will always be known by many for making connections, bringing people together and her smile. She was known for helping those in need, mentoring `young folk' on Capitol Hill, running campaigns, organizing fundraisers, consulting, teaching, advising, presenting, chairing boards and committees for organizations she believed in as well as the parties and game nights she hosted, the pets she rescued, and the enchiladas she made and shared on Christmas eve where everyone was always welcomed.
Carlottia never met a stranger and easily welcomed people into her home with a hug. We, her children, hope those who knew her will remember her smile, her sense of humor, her laughter, and her Carlottia-isms like "later dude", "get a grip", and her love for Minnie Mouse.
May her light and warmth continue to touch the lives of those who knew her and may we all be encouraged to help and love each other.
Please send messages, photos, Carlottia stories, and condolences to Carlottialove@gmail.com We plan to share them at the Celebration of Life service. Service will be held on April 20th in Myrtle Beach.
Live Streaming: Carottia Scott Celebration
Recommended donation in Carlottia’s honor
Ocean View Funeral Home and Beach Crematory, Myrtle Beach Chapel is assisting the Scott family.
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