Vesta Scott was born (Galvesta Mavis Woods) on October 19, 1929 in Fulton, Arkansas, to Eugene Woods, Sr. and Lula Davis Woods.  She was the sixth child of eight children born to this family of sharecroppers.

Vesta began her adventures early as a teenage housekeeper and later a cook for a wealthy family in Texas.  Learning many tips from her mother, she became extremely gifted in cooking and soon realized that she could make a living elsewhere.

Vesta moved to Port Chicago, California at the age of 26 seeking a better life for herself and her son Robby (Pete Woods). She lived with her sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Rae Hill until she met and married Melvin Scott in September, 1952. In the early years of her marriage, Vesta worked as a Department Store Cashier and later a Teacher's Aide at Village Elementary School for many years.

By the time her second child (Judy) was born Vesta was well established in her Port Chicago community. She developed a deep lifelong friendship with her besty (Myra Gibbs) and they remained close friends throughout the many years. The family later moved to Carpino Street in Pittsburg, where they set down roots and purchased their first home. Her husband, Melvin, owned and operated a local gas station in West Pittsburg; where they taught Judy and Pete to help out with the customers.

Vesta always wanted boys - yet two more girls were born, Barbara (known as Bopsie) and Marilyn (known as Murt). But her legacy produced many boys after that. Vesta gave birth to her first son at the age of 20, and 20 years later her first grandson was born, then 20 years after that the last grandson was born.  And each of her children had two sons.  Vesta was now "Big Momma" to all the grandkids, many of the neighborhood kids, and some of her students from school. She was always happy to share food from her kitchen and continued to cook all the family favorites (tea cakes, fried pies, banana pudding, hog head cheese, steak & rice). Together she and Melvin did a lot of entertaining and socializing. Melvin was an activist for equal rights and believed in the development of union workers. His activism and commitment to workers rights propelled him to the position of Union President. He moved his family to a beautiful home on Suzanne Drive in Pittsburg, where Big Momma spent more than 50 years, and still owns the property to this date. They lived a truly blessed life.

After Melvin passed away in 1979, Vesta met and happily embraced his son Billy Rae Scott (a brother from another mother). With Vesta as an example, the siblings quickly adopted Bill into the family. Big Momma always had enough love and enough food for anyone who came into her life. She was a strong but loving woman, and would tell you exactly what you needed to hear, when you needed to hear it. She had a vibrant spirit and she loved to get out and do things. She enjoyed getting her hands dirty with gardening; she enjoyed bowling and participated in a league for many years. She sang in the Solomon Temple Missionary Baptist Choir where she was a member for most of her years. She wanted to learn more about the bible and began to study with Jehovah's Witnesses. She made her dedication to serve Jehovah and was baptized at the age of 80+ years.

Vesta was preceded in death by both her parents: Papa Gene in 1984 and Momma Lula in 1995.  Four brothers: Henry, Willie, Robert, and Eugene.  One sister: Anna Lee Hill.

She leaves to cherish her memory, one son Robby Pete Woods of Tracy, California; one inherited son, Billy Rae Scott of Las Vegas, Nevada; three daughters, Judy Forrest and Marilyn Scott of Pittsburg, California; and Barbara (Daniel) Jones of Antioch, California. 11 grandchildren plus 5 bonus grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren plus 2 bonus great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; two sisters: Mattie Mae Flenory of Fulton, Arkansas; Argusta Ross of Dallas, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 9:30am with a funeral service at 11:00am at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel. Burial following at Oak Mont Memorial Park in Lafayette.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 3:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) and can be attended by Zoom.

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