I love you, LouBird. Always have, always will.  When it’s my turn, have dessert waiting!  I miss you greatly.  Hugs and kisses, Karen

When I was growing up…the 50’s were giving way to the 60’s. The times were changing, chaotic….Somehow a young mother and her son who was about ten years old came into our church. Her parents lived in town and one day she just appeared. She was energetic, well-dressed, and worked in real estate. She knew people, understood them, and she had the gift of listening. Before too long, she was trusted with sponsoring our youth group which included some bungling boys and some very bright young women. With all the cultural shifts going on, we were all still teenagers, and Lou Johnson was just the one to walk beside us, listen, and share her faith in practical ways as all of us were learning who we were and what we might become. 
We worked together. We played together. We studied and worshipped together. Lou and Billy were only there for a few years and then she was gone to a new life in Arizona. All these years later, as I look back, those turbulent times were actually good for all of us. Because of Lou Johnson, we had a stabilizer, a mother in the faith. An advocate through some rough waters, preparing us for a new territory.


She was a tough bird and pushed through some jobs in her long and diversified career, where women might not have had acceptance, but she persevered.  She found her place in the real estate market and thrived.  She faced her fears head on, tragedies and failures the same, never letting this define her.  She was a person who made her own path, not at the expense of others but took others along.  A person of faith.  Her greatest joy was to have her favorite people around.  She put more good into the world than she took. 
Hard to find one word to define her: Loyal, diplomatic, reverent, compassionate, honest, sincere, and yes, opinionated.  She will leave an indelible impression on many. 
So it goes, Lou, all will be well and you will be forever remembered.  Rest in peace.  Thank you.


All of us are still reeling from the loss…the miss…the realization that our Lou is really gone from the planet. Our Lou in Blue. Lou, gracious, audacious, adventurous, funny, loving, PRESENT. Lou, a Texas lady, a Houstonian to the core. Lou, a woman with a heart as wide as Texas, able to enfold all who came into her circle.

Many in this room called her Mother because that’s what Lou did best. She mothered without ever smothering. She never used the words “stepchildren” or “half-brother.”  She claimed us as HERS, fully and completely.

I’ve never known another human being with her capacity, her largeness of heart, to love, to take in strangers or orphaned-hearts, to listen and be present to people, to know how to celebrate, have fun, and dance (and play a good game of Scrabble and, as of late – her favorite – Redneck Life).

And she lived this way through so many heartaches and losses that she experienced throughout her lifetime. These losses and hardships didn’t harden her or make her bitter or sour. Instead, during her last days when I was with her for Mother’s Day, I’d say she had become “concentrated sweetness.”

She greeted all who stopped by with a smile. She cupped our faces in her hands and kissed us. She thanked all who made her feel comfortable or gave her a drink or a bite of watermelon.

She slipped away early Thursday morning with no one around her bed but the evening caregiver Rosalind as Rosalind quoted the Lord’s Prayer aloud to her. Rosalind told me Lou looked at her and smiled.…And then she was gone. 

Not one of us in our Scarborough family can say a sufficient thank you to our dear Lou. She added a dimension to our lives that wouldn’t have been there had our dad not asked her to marry him after he’d lost his wife, our own mother way too soon. 

Because of you, LOU, we promise we will always continue to wear hats each year to our Thanksgiving tables. We promise whenever we see anyone wearing royal blue or BIG jewelry, we’ll think of you. We promise we will never play a board game without remembering how you made life fun.…And I’d imagine that all of us in this room would join me in saying that because of YOU being in our lives, we will love better. We will laugh more fully and freely. We will be a bit more adventurous.
We will live in the moment, all with the hope that when we too come to the end of our lives, others will be able to say that we too had become a beautiful dose of “concentrated sweetness.” That’s what having Jesus in YOUR life did in YOU. We love you, Lulu! Hug everyone there for us…we’re not too far behind.


This amazing lady Lou Scarborough was my inspiration and mentor, my confidant, aunt, and best friend. Rest in Peace Aunt Lou, you've earned it. I will love you always. She was such an amazing role model and trail blazer! And a gatherer of people. We were so blessed to have her in our family.

My strong independent role model, Lou Scarborough. She has shaped us all. We will miss you so.

Sweet Grandma Lou...we will miss you. We are so grateful we were able to spend Mother's Day with you. Love you always.

My mom and dad were friends of Ben Scarborough from childhood in Kilgore. When Lou moved to Wise County, my husband was in the title insurance business, so as a realtor, he and Lou connected, and Mom, Dad, and she reconnected. She took us all into her heart and her life. Her compassion, love of life, acceptance of all people are beautiful memories. She will be missed, but oh, how I know that now, she dances with angels!

Lou and Billy were in my life literally 50 years ago when I was in high school, and she was our youth group sponsor at First Christian Church in Cleburne. We reconnected several years ago on FB and by phone. Lou was on my list to visit when I finally get back to Texas. What a gift! 

Lou was my first real boss when I was 17 years old. She has been a mom, a friend, a counselor, and a never-wavering source of love and acceptance for 45 years. “Aunt Lou” to my kids and my role-model in dozens of ways. She was, in the best sense, a delightful gift. I have always marveled at her ability to make each person feel like they were the most important person ever. She was indeed a gift. We only got to see each other in person every couple of years, but we always resumed right where we left off - with nary a hiccup of awkward silence and never a moment not feeling complete acceptance and love. Precious “Aunt” Lou Johnston Scarborough went to be with Jesus. And she’s dancing in heaven I know! I’m so grateful for all she poured into my life these past 45 years, and I’m doubly grateful that our Heavenly Father gave us an entire week together recently. I will miss her so, but if there’s ever been a person I can say that I keep a little of them in my, it will be Bessie Louise.

‎ Ms. Lou, my heart is saddened today as I am reading of your passing. We may have only been neighbors for a few years, but I loved keeping up with you on FB and waited impatiently to get your Christmas card every year. My children adored you, as did I. RIP, sweet friend. We will remember you fondly and with love  <3


Lou Scarborough blessed many of us with her love, wisdom, strength, and sense of humor. As I sit here in the Philippines, I’m sobbing for a woman I loved so dearly. I had a very rough upbringing and she would tell me every time she saw me,- "God has plans for you. You are going to do great things." I didn't believe in myself, but she did. Her encouraging words carried me through Basic Training and then Warrant Officer Candidate School. It was a constant reminder to strive to be the best and those words carried me through Aero-Medical Evacuation Training. Lou, I love you! You made the world and those around you a better place. I will see you again in Heaven.

This lady Lou Scarborough has meant so much to me through most of my life. I first met her in high school, she was my friend Bill's Mom, and was huge in the development of Runaway Bay. Later, I worked for her, and she became my mentor and friend - that friendship lasted a lifetime. She is one of those people whom you know didn't even have to knock on the pearly gates; they were wide open welcoming Lou home. Lou, I will pick up where we left off the moment I see you again in heaven.

I loved me some Lou. So many stories, so many loves, so many Bills, so many many many. I think one of her best jokes ever was with me as her secretary at Midway Properties, circa literally 1978-79-80-81-82ish…she knocked something over in her office, and hollered, "It's okay, I just dropped my RING!" My gosh, such a lady has passed that showed me, taught me, along with my Mom, reinforced in me what is a lady. 


Thank you, Miss Lou. I got the heartwarming letter you sent me after my daughter 
Imelda passed away. You said you had waited a little to send it so I could be more at peace and relaxed. 
I still keep it. May you Rest in Peace.


Lou was a dear friend and loved by our family for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. God Bless.

Aunt Lou had been an important part of my life. She had been very encouraging when in time of need, I could always talk to her just like one of my college friends. I knew that I could always get an honest answer. I will always cherish and remember her reaction when giving her the cross I made for Seth. It meant a great deal to me to be chosen to be able to make artwork for her in her home and for others close to her. I will always have the memories spent with her in Houston and in Carthage, especially the themed gifts and playing games like Redneck Life – good times…good times I will always remember.

Deepest condolences... Lou truly reflected the Fruits of the Spirit. She was a mentor and dear friend. She will be missed...


Praying Gods comfort for all Ms Lou’s loved ones.  Jesus gave us these comforting words - that His Holy Spirit would be with us always, that His peace was perfect and He encourages us to be courageous.  We have a living hope in Him and this life is but a vapor but eternity with Him will be glorious yet until that time we grief the presence of our loved ones who have finished their race and have entered eternal life . So I pray courage for each of you and that you are all met with kindness gentleness comforting embraces Gods perfect peace and that you would continue journeying together in love joy support and comfort for one another in the days months and years to come.  Cherish each other and continue to be thankful for all that you have had together with her, others and even now with each other.  I love you Susie and your family. I know Poppa will guide us your family at the Vineyard in prayers for you and your family. Hugs and Shalom! AnG

I am so sorry for your lost.  Lou is the epitome of a true lady..... beautiful, dignified, graceful, intelligent and oh so kind. I am so thankful for our friendship over the years.  My Chris went to heaven on the 14th and I know you loved stories about her, hug her close for me and know I'm sending hugs to you as well. I will remember and love you always.

Vicky

Visitation

Funeral Service

Graveside Service

Reception

Preceded in death by her Father and Mother – Clifford and Bess Johnson, her beloved husband Ben Scarborough, her dear Son – Bill Johnston, her Daughters - Candy Crenwelge and Liz Matthews, and her Grandson - Seth Scarborough. She is survived by her Children - Lucy Scarborough Harrington (Lonnie), Susie Scarborough, Ben Scarborough (Karen), and Carlene Watassek; her Brother – David Johnson; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a large host of friends. Lou’s life was a full one.

OBITUARY

Bessie "Lou" Louise Johnson Scarborough

January 23, 1931 – May 17, 2018

Earthman Funeral Directors

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services