OBITUARY

NANCELIA ELIZABETH SCOTT JACKSON

Nancelia Elizabeth Scott Jackson passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024, in Denver, Colorado at her family home. She lived on the same block in North Cherry Creek for 98 years.

Nancelia was born October 27, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, the second oldest of six brothers and sisters. Her parents were Paris Monroe and Elizabeth Geraldine Scott. Nancelia and her family migrated to Denver in 1926 from segregated Missouri and Illinois looking for better opportunities. Those opportunities included building three homes in North Cherry Creek and a family cabin in historic Lincoln Hills by her grandfather, William Pitts, who was born into slavery in Missouri.

Nancelia, also known as “The Dame of North Cherry Creek”, “Granny” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, “Aunt Nanny” to her nieces and nephews, “Nancy” to hundreds of Facebook friends and “Mom” to her children and countless friends of her children.

Nancelia was educated in the Denver Public Schools, Steck Elementary School, Gove Junior High School and East High School. She attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri for one semester, the same college that her mother, Elizabeth Geraldine Pitts Scott, obtained a college degree in 1915.

Nancelia began writing a diary at the age of 13, documenting her daily experiences of growing up in North Cherry Creek. Her dedication to journaling continued throughout her life and eventually culminated in the publication of her memoirs in 2005, titled A Chronicle of Precious Memories. Her diary and memoirs are housed in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library in Denver, Colorado and the Museum of Boulder in Boulder, Colorado. Nancelia has been the subject of numerous publications, including Cherry Creek Newsletter, Urban Spectrum, ESPN Magazine, and a PBS special on Black Travel in the U.S.

In 1945, Nancelia married Floyd M. Jackson, Jr., a World War II soldier stationed in Laramie, Wyoming. They met at a function sponsored by the USO in Five Points. During World War II, Nancelia, her parents and friends assisted as civilians in the war effort to defeat the Nazis. Floyd received three Bronze Stars for his valor and later in life a commendation signed by President Barack Obama.

On November 10, 1945, Gary Monroe was born, followed by Larry McGlother on February 15, 1947. The icing on the cake was the birth of Kimberle Mae on February 26, 1960.

Nancelia was employed as a school aide at Mary Ann Day School on 3rd and Garfield Street, the Air Force Finance and Accounting Center, where she worked for two decades and retired at age 65. After retirement, she worked as a temporary receptionist for Dimanna & Jackson until 2012. It was a joy for Nancelia to work side by side with her son, Gary, greeting clients and luminaries that came into the office. She also volunteered as a school aide at Steck Elementary School when Kimberle attended.

Nancelia was an election official at the voting polls in North Cherry Creek for more than 30 years, and has voted in every national and local election since the age of 21. She voted for President Franklin Roosevelt for his third term in office.

Nancelia has been a faithful and devoted member, usher, and Bible study participant at Scott United Methodist Church for more than 70 years. She was known for her work ethic and compassion as a volunteer feeding the needy in the church’s kitchen until age 93. Nancelia was a quiet leader and had an indomitable presence at the church for young and old. She loved her pastors, elders, and members of the church. She sat on her designated pew each Sunday and was subsequently named in her honor. In 2018, Nancelia was celebrated by her church, recognizing her outstanding service before she was “called to Glory.”

Nancelia has been an advocate and fighter for social justice, racial inclusion, and equity throughout her life. She was known for her letter-writing when she saw injustice. Those letters were sent to college presidents, mayors, governors and the Colorado Supreme Court Justices. Nancelia did not believe in suffering in silence. She voted for President Obama, and just before her death was an outspoken advocate for Vice President Kamala Harris with her network of Facebook friends.

At age 99, Nancelia’s dream of a family reunion was realized on July 20, 2024, when 71 family members gathered together at Zephyr View cabin in Lincoln Hills to celebrate her trailblazing life. The celebration included the receipt of a letter written to Nancelia at her Lincoln Hills mailing address from Vice President Kamala Harris, congratulating her on a job well done and her upcoming 100th birthday. The next day, President Biden announced that he would not run for president, and Vice President Harris was endorsed as his successor in the bid for the President of the United States.

Nancelia is survived by her brothers, Warren Frederick Scott (Sandra) and Arthur Bishop Scott (Frazier); children, Hon. Gary Monroe Jackson (Regina), Larry McGlother Jackson (Jennifer), and Kimberle Mae Jackson-Butler; daughter-in-law, Sylvia L. Jackson; grandchildren, Jamal Brandon Jackson (Jamylah), Maya Bryonne Jackson-Moye (Bryan), Kaitlin Elizabeth Butler, Nicolle Alessandra Butler, Michael Mascotti (Robin) and Tara Lavizzo; great grandchildren, Myles Ahmir Jackson, Parker Tariq Jackson, Phoenix Simone LaRoux Moye, Skye Jordyn Jean Moye, Daunte Mascotti, Marissa Mascotti, Laila Lavizzo and Averie Lavizzo, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Nancelia’s remains will be spread at the Zephyr View cabin in historic Lincoln Hills with her brother, John Herbert Spencer Scott, nephews Bishop Marion and Gerald Joseph Scott and long-time friend William Harold Flowers, Jr. (“Sonny’).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to donate please consider Scott United Methodist Church, 2880 Garfield Street, Denver 80205, or the non-profit, LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can, 950 South Cherry Street, Suite 508, Denver, Colorado 80426.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 28, 2024, AT SCOTT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 2880 GARFIELD ST., DENVER, COLORADO 80205, AT 11:00 A.M. SCOTT METHODIST CHURCH HAS BEEN NANCELIA’S CHURCH HOME FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS.

THE SERVICE WILL ALSO BE STREAMED AND MAY BE VIEWED BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW OR COPY AND PASTING IN YOUR BROWSER:

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?

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