Lottie B. Scott

Lottie B. Scott, age 88, passed on September 18, 2025. She was born in Longtown, SC on November 5, 1936, to the late Joe Bell, Jr., and Estelle Stone Bell. She graduated from Fairfield County Training School, a segregated high school for blacks. She married Clyburn Scott, Sr. in 1956. Their son Clyburn, Jr. (Billy) was born that year. As she often told her family, “1956 was a busy year .”

In the spring of 1957 Lottie left Longtown SC with her six-month-old son in search of a better life for she and her child. It was just the beginning of Lottie’s search for a better life for self and others. She often recalled how she would have been unable to do it without the love and dedicated support of her mother Estelle Stone Bell.

During her early years in Norwich, she went to work at Werman Shoe Factory, then as a salad counter girl at the Wauregan Hotel and day work, cleaning houses. Lottie returned to school to build upon her high school clerical skills. She attended Norwich Commercial College and did exceedingly well. Although she did very well on the exam, there were no positions for her, while employers were not hiring black people.

In 1962 Lottie was hired as a clerk typist at Norwich State Hospital. She later learned that the nickname for the department was “the reject office.” The supervisor was seventy. Lottie was twenty-six, one female was age fifty, and the others were in their sixties.

Lottie began her work at Norwich Branch NAACP by becoming a charter member in 1963. She never stopped advocating for justice for all.

In 1970 Lottie began her work with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). Serving first as an investigator and then for more than twelve years as Eastern Regional Manager. She loved the opportunity to work and help resolve discriminatory issues in the workplace and housing. Following her retirement in 1992, she established LBS Human Resource Consultants.

For more than 50 years, Lottie was very active in civic and civil rights work. Past activities include serving as a Board member of the William W. Backus Hospital for 10 years including two years as Chair, Board member of the YMCA of Southeastern Connecticut, Board member of the Connecticut Hospital Association, President of the Norwich Arts Council, Founding member of Norwich Arts and served on the board for 20 years. In addition, she was President of the Norwich Branch NAACP, a Charter member of the Norwich Branch and a Lifetime NAACP member and Vice President of the Connecticut NAACP State Conference of Branches. In addition, she was secretary of the Norwich Branch NAACP and held numerous positions including Co-Chair of the local NAACP Centennial Celebration. Board member and secretary of the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. She served on the board of the United Workers of Norwich (currently United Community & Family Services, Inc.), Norwich Redevelopment Agency, Board member of Thames Valley Community Action Committee and a founding member, Board member of the CT Civil Liberties Union, served as Vice Chair of the UU Church of Norwich.

As of late, Lottie served as a Board member of the Norwich Historical Society, a member of Rotary and Norwich NAACP, served on the Sachem Fund Committee (a joint program between the City of Norwich and the Mohegan Tribe). Also, served on a special committee of the Otis Library Board of Directors, An Evening with an Author.

Lottie has been the recipient of awards for community service. The Norwich Branch NAACP presented her with awards for her work with youth, and for her years of dedication to advancing the work of the NAACP. She has also received awards from The Connecticut Federation of Black Democrats and “The Liberty Bell” Award from the New London County Bar Association for her many years of work in advancing the rights of the citizens of New London County. Lottie received the 1993 “Citizen of the Year Award” from the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. In October 2000, The Connecticut Conference of NAACP Branches presented her with the “W.E.B. DuBois” Lifetime Achievement Award. On March 20, 2006, the University of Connecticut presented her with the Presidential Humanitarian Award for Diversity. On May 27, 2011, she was presented with the Pioneer Award in recognition of her many years of dedicated service leading the way for the youth of the NAACP and community. On April 28, 2013, she was honored by the National Council of Negro for being a Trailblazer for New London County.

In 2014 the Norwich Arts Center named a Jazz Series: Miss Lottie’s Café in her honor. Lottie was a strong supporter and advocate for the arts.

During her leisure time she served as Justice of the Peace and member of a Norwich weekly literary club. In 2018, Lottie wrote and published Deep South – Deep North: A Family’s Journey reflecting on her family’s life in Longtown, SC and their journey during the past 100 years.

Lottie earned a BA degree at UConn. Now, Lottie's special collection of papers and documentation throughout her civil and professional career, are held at UConn Archives & Special Collection. She was also recently honored at Otis Library - Culture Corner in the Children Section. She is also the author of the children's book, "Waiting for Kitty."

Left to cherish precious memories: her lifetime partner and beloved Clifford Carter; grandson Clyburn Scott III; granddaughter Lakeesha Sullivan; great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; sister Alberta B. Williams; three sisters-in-law Lillian Bell, Joyce Bell and Jessie Bell; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and friends she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her son Clyburn Scott, Jr.; parents; brothers Freddie Bell, Solomon Bell, McArthur Bell, and David Bell; and sisters Lillian Bell Jackson and Josephine Bell Patton, Esq.

A memorial funeral service for Lottie will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Kelly Middle School, 25 Mahan Dr., Norwich, CT.