Demopolis’ Scott named Marengo County Coroner
By day, he manages and co-operates his family’s funeral home. He’s the fifth generation to do so. But for John Scott, the day doesn’t end when he walks out the door of Larkin and Scott Mortuary on East Jefferson Street in Demopolis.
On Jan. 17, Scott, 27, was appointed coroner of Marengo County to fill a role vacated when Stuart Eatmon Sr., resigned in December citing health concerns.
“I’m just honored that the people of Marengo County put their faith in me to fill the role of coroner,” Scott told The Watchman. “It really means a lot that so many people put my name out there and thought highly enough of me to serve the citizens.”
For Scott, it was a logical fit. He took over the family business as manager in 2013 following the untimely passing of his late father, Dr. Christopher Scott. In 2015, he became a licensed funeral director and embalmer and now runs day-to-day operations alongside cousin and co-owner Kelvin A. Scott.
“My dad passed away in 2013 and left big shoes for us to fill here, but I stepped up to the plate and I really think he’d be proud of the work we’re doing,” said Scott.
Scott, a 2008 graduate of Demopolis High School, graduated from the University of Alabama in 2012 with a degree in business, and then from East Mississippi Community College in 2015 with a degree in funeral service. It’s that background, according to Scott, that provides him with the skillset needed to succeed as coroner.
“Since I deal with death and grieving families on a daily basis here at the funeral home, it really puts me in a unique position as coroner,” said Scott. “Often, the coroner is one of the first individuals to meet with a grieving family following an unexpected and untimely passing of a loved one. My degree in funeral science and my experience here at the funeral home has prepared me to help those families cope in the initial stages of the grieving process, and that’s what I enjoy being able to do. That’s important to me.”
His appointment as coroner did not come as easy as some may think.
“There were multiple people who’d been recommended to fill the position, and we all had an interview with [Probate] Judge Laurie Hall. I had to present a resume and really show that I was qualified to fill the position,” said Scott. “I’m just honored that I was chosen out of that pool.”
Since Jan. 17, Scott said he’s been on three calls.
“I’ve basically got about two years to serve since Mr. Eatmon’s term expired in 2018, but with the vote of Marengo County’s citizens, I hope to serve much longer than that,” said Scott.