Mary Delapp

WRITTEN BY THE FAMILY:

Mary Helen Delapp, 95, transitioned to Glory on Sunday July 27th, 2025. Mary was born in Jenkins, Kentucky to Henry and Louise Foster. Some years later, Mary’s mother, Louise moved to Bristol, VA, where she met and married a wonderful man named Robert Scales. Mary loved Robert Scales so much that she just started going by Mary Scales while she was still in school. What’s so interesting about this story is she never legally changed her name to Scales but back then it wasn’t an issue apparently.

Mary later had 3 children and she gave all three of them her last name “Scales”. For those in the family who never knew how some people got the name Scales now they understand how it came about. As a little girl, Mary didn’t particularly care about going to school. She actually said she didn’t like school. She expressed this sentiment to her mother on a number of occasions and Louise told her you are going to school and that’s that. Mary’s younger sister who wasn’t old enough to attend school at the time said to their mother I’ll go to school and take Mary’s place. This was Mary’s sister Margie. Margie loved school and later became a nurse.

Mary, Two Momma as she was affectionately known as by her grandchildren. One of the things she was known for was blessing people with her beloved crocheting skills. She would lovingly crochet beautiful afghans (blankets), little stuffed animals and other cute things. Each crochet stitch was done very meticulously with love and affection for everyone she made something for. This gift Mary used to express the love of God to a broken world. This was a ministry! Mary had a way of making you laugh and shake your head. What was even more hilarious was that she was not trying to be funny but it would come out in a very comedic way and you couldn’t help but to laugh. When people would ask Mary how did she live so long? She would without hesitation say love the Lord and love people! This is true a Mott we all should live by. God didn’t say you had to like everybody but He did command us to love everybody! Children: Cheryle Hutchinson Michael Scales and Anthony Scales.

Grandchildren: Michael “Tony” Scales, Shawn Scales, Helena Bolte, Crystal Hutchinson and Jermaine Tabb; 12 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Debbie Adams, Diane Hunter, Donna Yancey Tori Adams. Valerie Leflore, Vanessa Smith. Mary became a member of Lee Street Baptist Church in Bristol, Va where she lived for many years before moving to Knoxville, Tn in the mid-eighties. Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church became her home where the Reverend John Jordan presided for many years. Mary loved her church family dearly and appreciated the love shown to her. A special thank you to Joe & Dorthy Waterson. Lisa Duncan for their love and sacrifices to help Mary. Westmoreland Nursing home is where Mary spent the last two years of her life. She made an impact there where she made friends and made people laugh. The community misses Mary dearly.

The family will receive friends from 1:00Pm to 1:30pm on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church, located at 1723 Washington Avenue. Knoxville, TN 37917 with a service to immediately follow. Rev. John Jordan officiating.

Final arrangements made by Jarnigan & Son Mortuary.