Bette Davis Scott, formerly of San Francisco, CA, and more recently of South Orange, NJ, passed away on September 24, 2025. Bette was known for her outrageous laughter, her incredible sense of fashion and style, and her passionate heart. She was a mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and Link sister. She shared in real life a passionate Hollywood love story with her husband of fifty years, Randy Scott. She was 92.

Bette was born on May 26th, 1933 to Clestelle Haley Langley, and Charles Langley, in Connellsville, PA. Raised with her younger sister Judy, and younger brother Buddy, Bette’s infectious laugh and effervescent personality charmed everyone she knew, bringing joy and light to those around her.

After leaving Connellsville and moving to Baltimore, MD with her family, Bette graduated from Frederick Douglass High School with honors in 1950. Originally named the Colored High and Training School, Douglass is the second-oldest U.S. high school created specifically for African American students. At Douglass, Bette quickly made friends and became one of the Mighty Debs of Douglass.

From there, Bette set out from there to conquer the world: attending a small teacher’s college after graduating high school. She soon realized she did not want to become a teacher, and explored other career options, working first as a secretary in the Baltimore Public School System, then working in East Orange, NJ for Mattie Jackson, a female African-American pioneer in real estate.

Bette brought her intellect, creativity, communication, and organizational skills to places her parents could only have dreamed of: she worked as a program coordinator for the National Alliance of Businessmen and as a manpower planner for the Office of the Mayor of Newark. Bette would then work as an assistant director for the Title III Career Education Program at Essex County College, at Xerox as an educational sales consultant, and at Arco, in multiple administrative and coordinator roles: including screening applicants as an administrative employee representative, and conducting workshops for PhD and Masters Degree technical in-house personnel as a technical employment management development specialist.

Bette’s drive and determination were rewarded when she was selected for a special accelerated BA and Master’s Program by Rutgers University. It wasn’t easy: Bette would drive up and down the NJ Turnpike each day, working during the day in Connecticut, then taking classes in her graduate program in New Brunswick, while living in East Orange, NJ with two young daughters at home. A determined scholar, Bette ultimately earned her degrees in 1976, many years after she had graduated from high school.

Bette, then Bette Davis, would meet her everlasting love, Randy Scott, during a chance encounter at Newark Liberty Airport. When introducing themselves, they realized they shared names with famous cinema stars, and struck up a conversation. Upon discovering they were going the same way, Randy picked up Bette’s luggage and escorted her onto the plane, sparking fifty years of laughs, love, and devotion. Bette would marry Randy on August 7 of 1976, and their love endured the test of time, with the couple dancing together even after she became wheelchair-bound at their granddaughter’s wedding.

Even as her husband’s career would eventually take Bette from the East Coast–to St. Louis, then Dallas, and eventually to San Francisco where she retired–Bette was a dedicated mother and grandmother, and determined to be a part of her grandchildren’s lives. Christmas was by far Bette’s favorite holiday, and every year she and Randy endured winter travel across the country to take part in the awe of those magical Christmas morning moments with both of their daughters' east coast households. Seeing the joy on her grandchildren’s faces, Bette’s eyes lit up like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree–which, without fail, she and Randy also ventured to see every year, for as long as travel was possible for the both of them.

It was Bette and Randy’s dedication to their east coast family that laid the groundwork for their “Christmas in January” parties, so that they could share Christmas with their San Francisco friends, too–and Bette had many dear friends. A “hostess with the most-ess” Bette’s parties were not to be missed, and few things gave her as much delight as being surrounded by friends as broad-minded, intriguing, and clever as she. To Bette, one of the worst things one could be was dull, and if you were–rest assured–she would be quick to tell you!

But as sharp as her tongue could be, her heart was huge, and Bette was a loving and caring friend to many, supporting them through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. It was her compassionate heart that drove her to improve the lives of others. Bette was known for her philanthropic work with the Links organization, working with women and children in the shelters; and her community involvement with the Bethel AME Church of San Francisco, where neither her generosity, nor her church hats, were to be outdone.

On that point, Bette was a true fashionista and a consummate designer and creator, and her Scotts Design venture produced fabulous, one-of-a-kind items. Bette was so gifted she could start from scratch, create the pattern, and sew intricate custom clothing that put tailors to shame, and her epic handmade costumes for her grandchildren were the talk of the neighborhood every Halloween. Her Darkwing Duck, Chip of the Rescue Rangers, Ariel of the Little Mermaid, Leonardo, the Ninja Turtle (complete with the shell), and Princess Jasmine costumes were epic. Bette’s creative spirit was showcased in the many gifts she created for her loved ones: quilts, clothing and home décor – and the multifaceted talents she shared with others. Her life and love is sprinkled throughout the homes of her friends and family: she left her imprimatur on every person she met and every place she graced with her presence.

Though she is gone from this world, Bette lives large in our hearts.

In addition to her parents, Bette was preceded in death by her brother Buddy Langley, sister Judith Reed and the love of her life, Randy Scott, her husband of 50 years, with whom she is reunited in heaven. Bette is survived by; her daughters Patrice “Pixie” Davis and Diane (Brian) Davis-Weeks; and their six grandchildren: James Powell, Jessica Flanagan, Jonathan Williamson, Kristen (Zack) Williamson, Angelica Davis, and Briana Davis.

We will be celebrating her life at the Woody Home for Services on Saturday, January 24th at 4pm. Woody Home for Services Inc is located at 163 Oakwood Ave, City of Orange, NJ 07050. Please send Funeral Floral Arrangements c/o Bette Davis Scott to Woody Home for Services 163 Oakwood Ave, City of Orange, NJ 07050, Phone: (973) 674-0814; Fax: 973-677-0644. Condolences can be sent to the family at 20 Warren Court, South Orange, NJ.

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