Estelle Keith Scott

Estelle Keith Scott, affectionately known as “Mama Scott”, age 83, of Tacoma, Washington passed away on May 3, 2014. A Homegoing Celebration for Estelle will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 1:30pm at the New Salem Baptist Church, 5446 S. Birmingham Street, Tacoma, Washington. Estelle was born on July 18, 1930 in Wewahitchka, Florida to the late Rev. Robert T. Keith Sr. and Cora Rouse Keith. She was the third of ten children and as a young child had a passion for cooking. Estelle’s first “official” cooking job started at the Ranch House in Panama City Beach, Florida where she introduced her “first” BBQ sauce recipe. Estelle eventually moved to Los Angeles, California where her son Arthur Lee and daughter Ada were living. In 1980, Estelle moved to Dover, Delaware to join her son Tommy Sr. and his family. In Dover, Estelle once again had a perfect opportunity to continue her love of cooking with the opening of Scott’s BBQ Restaurant. The restaurant under her culinary direction was a local favorite and Estelle enjoyed filling the bellies of many families with her famous BBQ meals and sauces. That is where the legend of “Mama Scott” began. In 1985, the family moved to Tacoma, Washington where her sister Anne was living. After placing permanent roots in Tacoma, their endeavors continued in the restaurant business. Mama Scott also added homemade pies to the menu, which were a big hit. Mama Scott eventually opened and operated a booth at a local farmer’s market where she sold her pies and gourmet BBQ sauces. In June 1994, due to the grass-roots success of their sauces, the Mama Scott’s Gourmet Sauce Company was formed. One of their largest production orders was for the national cable show QVC, where Mama Scott produced and sold over 20,000 units. In 2010, Mama Scott passed the leadership of the Mama Scott’s Gourmet Sauce Company to her son Tommy Sr. and his wife, Veresta. From 2010 – 2013, Mama Scott continued to support the company and enjoyed an occasional visit to the kitchen to make sure everything was up to her standards. The company continues to operate under Mama Scott’s tradition of excellence in their production of BBQ sauces, salad dressings, and pies. During her life in Tacoma, Estelle was a faithful member of the New Salem Baptist Church where she dutifully served as a member of The Mother’s Ministry and Mission Choir. Estelle was preceded in death by her parents: Robert and Cora Keith; three brothers: Robert Jr., Cornelius and William; two sisters: Gracie and Sara; a daughter, Ada Clayton; and a son, Frank Gainer Jr. Estelle leaves behind to cherish her memories, two sons: Tommy Sr. of Tacoma and Arthur Lee of Los Angeles; two daughters-in-law: Veresta of Tacoma and Brenda Penny of Los Angeles; eleven grandchildren: Zanett, Larry, Tommy Jr., Hoai, Nina, Melissa, Valerie, Marcus, Lisa, Maisha, and Akil; Nine great-grandchildren: Marcus , Jessica, Ryveal, Reggie, Tyree, Tanaudra, Shelby, Zion and Jordan; three great-great-grandchildren: Laila, Sanayiah and TyLaya; four sisters: Ada Dozier, Lillian Russ, Nervne Colvin and Anne Grandberry; one sister in-law Denise; two brothers in- laws: John and Howard; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.