Reflections of a Life Well Lived
Mrs. Dessie Ree Spencer Scales, 87, was born on May 14, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Walter and Josephine Spencer, both of whom preceded her in death. She attended Neshoba School in Germantown, Tennessee, and later graduated from Melrose High School. Dessie met the love of her life, Robert Scales, at a fish fry held at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. The two were later united in holy matrimony on December 15, 1956, in a grocery store in Mississippi. Their loving union was blessed with four beautiful children: Michael L. Scales, Sr., who preceded her in death; Carolyn D. Wright; Jacqueline Scales; and Terry D. Scales, Sr. Throughout their marriage, Mrs. Scales faithfully honored her commitment to care for her husband in sickness and in health. In 2006, Robert and Dessie joyfully celebrated 50 years of marriage. Their life together was a beautiful testimony of enduring love, devotion, and commitment. During her younger years, Mrs. Scales worked in the laundry industry. She later began a career at the Memphis Defense Depot (Defense Logistics Agency) in Memphis, Tennessee, where she initially worked as a forklift operator before being promoted to warehouse supervisor. Her strong work ethic, no-nonsense leadership style, and commitment to excellence earned her numerous certificates, plaques, awards, and special recognitions throughout her career. Mrs. Scales’ journey of faith began at an early age at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful and devoted servant until her health began to decline. Throughout the years, she generously shared her time, talents, wisdom, and love for God through numerous church ministries. During her years a New Bethel, she faithfully served as the Sunday School teacher for the Women’s Class. She also served as an instructor for Nurture for Baptist Churches (NBC) and the Baptist Training Union (BTU). Mrs. Scales praised God as a member of the Senior Adult Choir and volunteered alongside her late husband in support of the Youth Ministry. Desiring fellowship among senior members, Mrs. Scales organized the Senior Adult Ministry and faithfully served as its president. She also assisted in coordinating church trips and retreats and served as chairperson of the Pastor and Wife’s Anniversary, during which she organized the “Books of the Bible” fundraiser. She was also a faithful member of the Mother Board until her health no longer allowed her to serve. Her gifts and forward thinking left a lasting impression on the New Bethel church family. Proud of her family’s heritage, Mrs. Scales coordinated the first Spencer Family Reunion. She was also an active and devoted Neshoba alumna who enjoyed planning reunions and other gatherings that brought former classmates together. Mrs. Scales was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Scales; her son, Michael L. Scales, Sr.; her parents, Walter and Josephine Spencer; her sister, Maggie Waller of Fayette County; her sister, Christine Evans and her husband, (the late Will Roy Evans) of Los Angeles, CA; her sister, Shirley Reid and her husband, (the late L.C. Reid) of Memphis, TN; and her brother, Walter Boyd Spencer (Lucille) of Fayette County. Mrs. Scales deeply loved her family and was passionate about caring for those she loved. She enjoyed traveling, preparing holiday and Sunday meals, helping others, and quietly slipping money into the hands of those she wished to bless. Her generous spirit was felt by all she met. She leaves to cherish her precious memory her children, Carolyn D. Wright, Jacqueline Scales,and Terry D. Scales, Sr. (Tequila) all of Memphis, TN.; 21 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; six great-greatgrandchildren; her sisters, Leora Hammond (Clarence) of Torrance, CA, and Ernestine Spencer Douglas (Roosevelt) of Los Angeles, CA; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other relatives. Although Mrs. Scales deeply loved and cherished all of her grandchildren, she shared a particularly special bond with her first grandchild, Timika Sherel Sholar Mattox. During Timika’s adolescent illness, Mrs. Scales lovingly cared for her, to nurse her back to health. Before her passing, Mrs. Scales was lovingly cared for by her family. Special kudos is given to her oldest daughter, Carolyn Wright, for the leadership role she took in caregiving for Mrs. Scales. Special recognition is given to our extended family of Moscow, TN, who recently celebrated Mrs. Scales as the family matriarch. Special recognition is also given to her devoted extended family members of Memphis, California, Illinois, Texas, and Michigan, whose steadfast love and support remained a treasured part of Mrs. Scales’ life throughout the years. Mrs. Scales will forever be remembered for her strong faith, devoted leadership, generous heart, and unconditional love for her family, both near and far. Her life was a beautiful testimony of faith, service, strength, and compassion, and her legacy will forever live through the many lives she touched.
Order of Service Sunday, August 30, 2026 2:00 P.M.
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 7786 Poplar Pike • Germantown, Tennessee 38138 Rev. Dr. Donald R. Ester, Pastor
Musical Prelude................................................................................... “God Has Smiled on Me” Processional..............................................................................The Family of Mrs. Dessie Scales Musical Selection.....................................................................................New Bethel Mass Choir Scripture Readings: The Old Testament.....................................................................................Rev. Eric Nesby The New Testament...................................................................................Rev. John Wicks Prayer................................................................................................................Rev. Nolan Sledge Musical Selection......................................................................................New Bethel Mass Choir
Expressions of Love:
(Respectfully, Three Minutes, Please)
Mother Carolyn Ester - Mother Board Mother Angelee Reeves - Mother Board Sister Mona McNeary Ellis - Neshoba Alumni Words of Comfort..........................................................................................Pastor Aaron Letcher Musical Selection......................................................................................New Bethel Mass Choir
Expressions of Love:
(Respectfully, Three Minutes, Please)
Deacon William Shields - New Bethel Church Sister Mary Louise Price - Senior Adult Ministry Words of Encouragement................................................................................Rev. Reginald Saine House of Faith Ministry
Solo......................................................................................................................Sister Essie Cole
Family Tribute
Sis. Carolyn Wright, Bro. Terry Scales, Sis. Timika Sholar Mattox Acknowledgements..............................................................................................Sis. Melba Wynn Resolution............................................................................................................Sis. Lina Nelson Eulogy............................................................................................Pastor Dr. Donald R. Ester, Sr. Recessional............................................................... “It is Well” by Andrew Knox & Nu Change A Farewell Dove Release Following Service.
“We Promise” Please understand we just need a MOMENT or two to gather our thoughts as we attempt to pray But we PROMISE you that we will do better tomorrow than how we are doing on this day. At the MOMENT, we are just too consumed by the continuous thoughts of missing you. We PROMISE that we will be strong and will do better, just give us DAY or two. On this DAY we can only concentrate on all the many things about you that we’ll miss. We PROMISE that in a WEEK or two, we will do much better and we won’t feel quite like this In a WEEK the tears that have a mind of their own right now, will hopefully listen to us. We PROMISE that in a MONTH or two the breath-taking pain will ease up and let us be. In a MONTH, we will be so much better than we are today, please just give us a little time. We PROMISE that in a YEAR or two we will be smiling as memories of you flood our minds. In a YEAR, we’ll look back, be grateful for our season, and His plan we’ll completely understand. We PROMISE to take all we’ve learned and become the best legacy of you we possibly can So, even if it takes MOMENTS, DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS or YEARS for this grief and present pain to end We PROMISE momma all that time you will be in our hearts until the day, we meet again. Love Your Children. Carolyn, Jacqueline & Terry
A Poem for Grandma Grandma was so much more than simply our grandmother. She became part of the foundation upon which our family was built. Her grandchildren watched her, her great-grandchildren learned from her, and her great-great-grandchildren lovingly knew her as “Triple G.” What a blessing it is to live long enough to see generation after generation of your family grow around you. She taught us that having someone special in your life isn’t only about having someone who makes you feel good; it is about having someone who makes you want to be better. Stronger. Wiser. More responsible. More loving. Grandma was that person. And while our hearts hurt because we can no longer see her, hear her voice, or get one of those famous corrections, we know that everything she poured into us didn’t leave when she did. It lives in us. Every lesson, every laugh, every correction, every story, and every ounce of strength she gave this family will continue through the generations that carry her blood, her lessons, and her legacy. So, Grandma, when you reached those pearly gates, we hope you walked through them with that same confidence you’ve always had. We know there were some familiar faces waiting for you. Give Granddaddy the biggest hug. Find Tequoia, “Big Baby” and hold her close, hug Tyriq for us and all of our loved ones who made the journey before you. And Grandma, this last one comes especially from me: please find Daddy and give him the biggest hug you can. Tell him I love him, I miss him, and we’re still carrying on down here. Until the day all of us are together again, rest peacefully, Grandma. Your job here is finished, but your legacy isn’t. We, your grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, will carry it forward. And don’t worry, Triple G, we already know: act right, stay strong, take care of family, and don’t make you have to tell us twice! We love you, Grandma. Until we meet again.
~ Acknowledgements ~
Your kind words, acts of love and kindness, phone calls, and text messages have meant more to us than words can express. During this difficult time, we have been deeply touched by the love, support, and compassion shown to our family. We are sincerely grateful to our extended family, friends, and everyone who reached out to us in one form or another. Your prayers, expressions of sympathy, and many acts of kindness have brought us comfort and strength. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers and for standing with us during this time of bereavement. Your love and support will always be remembered and is deeply appreciated. The Family of Mrs. Dessie Ree Spencer Scales
~ Honorary Pallbearers ~
Terry Scales, Sr. Will Roy Evans, Jr. Michael Wynn, I Reginald Hammond
Lu Mattox Rev. Reginald Saine Ricky Hammond
~ Active Pallbearers ~
Michael Scales, Jr. Andre’ Scales Terrence Scales, Sr. Tremayne Scales, Sr.
~ Interment ~
New Bethel M.B. Church Cemetery
Robert M. Scales Mark Moore, Sr. Terry Scales, Jr. Bren Ransom
~ Repast ~
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
Distinctive Services by
3320 Millbranch Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38116 901-452-7331 www.harrisonsfuneralhomeinc.com “There’s No Comparison To HARRISON” HARRISON” ~Since 1923~
Tarik A. Yancy 901.336.9706