Our beloved Onetta Katherine Yokely Scott was born as the youngest child of Wallace Yokely and Hattie Covington Yokely on October 3, 1922 in Winston-Salem, NC. She passed away on January 4, 2012.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, James Yokely, Layman Yokely, Russell Yokely, Margretta Yokely Gray, and Ida Mae Yokely Flower. At a young age, Onetta met and married Norman Scott. They celebrated the birth of their only child, Juanita.

Onetta developed a life-long relationship with the Lord. At the age of eleven, she was baptized at Spencer Memorial Christian Church. She was active at Spencer for some 75 years until she left to join Messiah Community Christian Church in 2008, where she was a charter member. At Spencer, Onetta was a member of the Usher Board for more than 70 years and a Sunday school teacher for 65 years. She also worked with the SMART program, making sure the children were prepared to learn during their tutorial sessions. She was active until her health declined on Easter Sunday 2011.

Onetta did not shy away from the work of the Lord and even "sternly" insisted that Juanita and later, her grandchildren, participate in all the activities of the church. There were times when she had Juanita walk to day-long activities at Spencer and then on to other community churches for Sunday afternoon Christian Endeavor. Her brown Chevrolet Impala stopped on Highland Avenue at Juanita's house with a stern blow of the horn to call out her grandchildren, making sure they got to church on time for Sunday school. (She was a stickler for being on time!) Onetta even continued her sister Margretta's tradition of fried chicken, grits and gravy, and biscuits for her grandchildren- even into their adulthood.

Her professional career included that of working in the factory of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, a beautician (graduating from LaMae Beauty College in 1949). She later worked in Home Healthcare until her retirement in 1998 from the Department of Social Services.

Onetta loved style and fashion. Age did not stop her from wearing high heels. She strutted in her heels until her health declined. She would often say: "I'm going to be sharp and tipping like a Marquee kitten!" Then she'd tip off in her three-inch heels.

Although Onetta had only one child, her family circle was tremendous. Through Juanita's marriage to Nathaniel Wilson, she was showered with the blessing of three grandchildren who she loved and who in return, adored her: Katherine N. Wilson of Winston-Salem, NC- her namesake, Nathaniel Wilson, Jr. of Jamestown, NC, and Natitia Ometra Wilson Thornton of Durham, NC. She had three great-grandchildren, Yasmine Wilson and Soley Wilson of Winston-Salem, NC and Maxwell Thornton of Durham, NC. Their "Gigi" was as much the twinkle of their eye as they were of hers!

Being the matriarch of her family, Onetta's nieces, nephews, and cousins- both blood-related and assumed, were many in number. They include nieces: Mary Alice Crowell, Edith May Gray, and Olivia Gray who all preceded her death. Surviving nieces and nephews include: great-nieces (who were just like daughters), Barbara Brinkley, Anita Rice (Glasco), Veronica Hughes (Jacob), and Carolyn Archie (Carl) all of Winston-Salem, NC; nieces, Thomasine Ellison (James) of Charlotte, NC, Elaine Sawyer (Charles) of Raleigh, NC and Sharon Shade of Johnson City, TN; nephew, Benjamin Gray (Carolyn) of Kernersville, NC; great-nephews, Rev. Napoleon Crowell (Patricia), James Crowell, Wayne Crowell (Tonette), and Christopher Crowell all of Winston-Salem, NC, and Ricky Crowell (Shenika) of Newport News, VA. The circle of family members extended to numerous other great-great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
Onetta touched the lives of not only those in her family, but others in the church and community. She leaves many fond memories for them to cherish.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Sunday, January 8, 2012 at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 2320 Country Club Rd. W-S, NC with Reverend Sekinah Hamlin officiating and Reverend Kenneth Davis eulogist. Interment will be held at 11am Monday, January 9, 2012 in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 6pm until 8pm Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.