Verta Viola Scott

Verta Viola Scott nee Samms was born on February 11, 1931 in Herona, Isla de Pina (now Isles of Youth), Cuba to Rosetta Samms. She was the second of four siblings- Enez (deceased), Verta, Myrtle and Willie. Verta attended school in Isla de Pina until the age of 12, when she left her beloved Cuba. Accompanied by her siblings and her mother, she migrated to Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, which was the birthplace of her mother, Rosetta.

Verta attended public school in Black River. After completing school, she used her culinary skills to become a businesswoman, an entrepreneur and the founder of her renown restaurant, commonly called “Over the Bridge”, one of the most popular places for locals and “out of towners” to have a great meal in Black River.

Black River is also the birthplace of her seven children. She became the wife of Ashbon Scott in 1967. Verta had ambitions for her children. Eventually, she gave up her successful business in Black River and migrated to the USA, where she became employed as a Certified Nurse Assistant. She had a goal- to secure a brighter future for her children. Verta would customarily work most of the year in New York and return to Jamaica for the winter months. All of Verta’s family and friends looked forward to her “coming home”, because she never returned home empty-handed. She was able to provide a better life for all of her children. After achieving her goal, Verta retired to Montego Bay, Jamaica in 1995. After the death of her husband Ashbon, she again returned to her hometown of Black River, St. Elizabeth. Finally, she would make Kissimmee, Florida her home, where she spent her last years. She departed this life on March 16, 2013.

She is survived by her children - Osmond (Lucille), Nadine (Arnold, deceased), Conrad (Cherry), Gladwyn (Yvonne), Dalton (Lorna), Phyllis, Claude, Glen, Victor (Roisin) and Fitzroy. She is also survived by her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews

Verta was successful in life. Everything thrived that she placed her hands upon. Her exemplary culinary and nursing skills provided income, but her ability to plan and manage insured a brighter future for her children. However, it was her gardening that gave her the most joy. The beauty of her landscapes was breathtaking in Jamaica as well as here in the USA.

Verta will be dearly missed by her loving family and friends. MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE.