Roll Call Tribute

Charles Baker Scott 

November 9, 1933 - June 12, 2026 

After more than 72 years together, Charles and Harriet Scott entered into eternal rest only 24 hours apart. Harriet passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on the morning of June 11, followed by Charley the next day, June 12, 2026 almost to the minute.

Charles Baker Scott was born November 9, 1933, in Raymondville, Texas, to Charles Jackson Scott and Tommie Baker Scott. He graduated from Raymondville High School, where he played tennis and served as Drum Major of the band his senior year. He attended Texas A&M University and played cornet in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band his freshman year. The tide changed, however, and he transferred to the University of Texas in Austin the following year.

Charley and Harriet met and fell in love after a blind date at a fraternity party. It was a quick romance, and with the help of a friend with a car, they eloped to nearby Georgetown, where they were married by a Justice of the Peace. They returned to the Continental Club on South Congress for a drink, then Charley took Harriet home. The next day, he came back to pick her up, along with her belongings, and they moved into a rented apartment in Austin.

A job opportunity then took them to Bryan, where Charley went to work for the Woodson Lumber Company. Woodson was planning to open a new store in Austin, and they wanted Charley to get some experience at their Bryan and Caldwell locations, then move back to Austin and manage the new operation. However, Charley received notice from, and was drafted into, the US Army. He was initially stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where their son Michael was born, then completed his tour of duty at Johnson Air Base outside of Tokyo, Japan. In 1958, the family moved to Raymondville, where Charley joined the family business, Scott Lumber Company.

Charley spent his career in residential and commercial construction and grew the company in the building materials trade. The family enjoyed the fruits of his efforts, including summers at Delta Lake, where they spent their days boating, sailing, and water skiing. 

Charley and Harriet were active members of First Presbyterian Church in Raymondville, where Charley sang in the choir. Charley was also proud to have served for a number of years on the Board of Directors of Raymondville State Bank/First Valley Bank before the bank sold in 1998. That same year, Charley and Harriet sold the family business.

With their daughter Somer, they moved to Boerne, Texas, to retire. Retire, however, they did not. Somer was an active barrel racer, and Charley and Harriet began traveling to rodeos across Texas and neighboring states. Rodeo Queen competition was soon added to the equation, and the travel continued with much success. Later, they participated in the same Rodeo Queen competition with their granddaughter Courtney. Both girls experienced Harriet’s tenacious, competitive spirit, where, after all, “there is winning, and then there is winning.”

When the rodeo years were over, Charley returned to his love of music. At the age of 80, he bought a baby grand piano and began taking lessons. A few months later, he played in his first recital, performing his favorite hymns.

Charley and Harriet later bought a home in Georgetown and moved in two doors down from their daughter Sherilyn. There, Harriet added a pool, and Charley had the fanciest garage in the subdivision. They enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren before making their final move to Franklin Park in San Antonio.

Charley and Harriet were preceded in death by their parents; their daughter, Jennie Ellen Scott; their brothers-in-law, Richard Park and Carney Huddleston; and Harriet’s sister, Carolyn Huddleston. They are survived by their son, Michael Scott and his wife Margaret; daughters Sherilyn Mercer and her husband Kevin, Somer Baburek and her husband Matt, and Doris Bowery; Charley’s sister, Jacqueline Scott Park; and Harriet’s sister, Gay Butler. They are also survived by twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends in a visitation at Duddlesten Funeral Home in Raymondville from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Monday, June 22nd, 2026.