Scott, Robert Exum

Robert Exum Scott
Prominent Wilson County Farmer And Community Leader
September 7, 1918 — December 15, 1983

Mr. Scott was one of six children born to Franklin Winfield (11/10/1888 — 5/25/1971) and Victoria Kirby Scott (8/20/1888 — 3/1/1954) and the grandson of Robert Lee, Sr. (8/15/1866 — 8/8/1937) and Emma Holland Scott ('A7/1864 —1/15/1927), and William Henry and Elizabeth Hinnant Kirby.

His siblings were Elizabeth Scott Hooks (2/14/1910 — 1993), Elbert Henry Scott (2/9/1911— 7/2/1955), Franklin Woodrow Scott (8/9/1914 — 5/30/1953), Hubert Cox Scott (8/4/1920 —5/1993), and Elgia Scott Farrior (born 7/21/1925). In 1948, the Frank Scott family was selected by Progressive Farmer Magazine as the "Master Farm Family".

Mr. Scott married Alma Catherine Barnes December 30, 1939. They were the parents of five children: Janice Scott Ford, Joseph Franklin Scott, Carol Scott Stone, Frances Scott Southerland and Robert Exum Scott, Jr.

Mr. Scott was a lifelong resident of Wilson County and a pioneering farmer in the St. Mary's community. He harvested tobacco, corn, soybeans and other small grain from his nine hundred acre farm operation. For several years, he operated a large poultry business. Mr. Scott was reared on a purebred hog and beef cattle farm and stayed involved in pork production throughout his life. He collaborated with NC State University Specialists and built the first environmentally controlled swine facility in North Carolina.

Mr. Scott served fifteen years on the Board of Supervisors of the Wilson District Soil and Water Conservation Services. He was an officer in the Wilson County Livestock Association, an officer in the Grange, and a Farm Bureau member. He was also a member of the Wilson County Chapter of the Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers Association. Mr. Scott was an innovator and always willing to try something new. When farmers in the area were just thinking about using bulk tobacco barns, he was excited about trying them. He helped develop a curing schedule for modern bulk tobacco barns and drove many miles to teach other farmers how to use them.

He was sometimes called by his nick name "Samp," from the biblical figure Sampson. Members of the community thought this a fitting description for his physical strength and for his stature in the community. In many peoples' eyes, he was the best farmer and person the community has known because of his willingness to teach and share, his eagerness to listen and learn, and his ability to never let anything life threw at him get the best of him. It was these qualities that enabled him to gain the respect of all who knew him.

Although he had much success as a farmer, Mr. Scott's greatest asset was his wife, children and grandchildren. He provided an example for them to follow as to what a man should be: a good husband, a good father, a community leader, and a good friend.