Alpha Jo Scott Luallen, 80, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2018 at home surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late James Haley Scott and Eli Alpha Basham Scott. Alpha Jo grew up in Columbia, Tennessee where she graduated from Columbia High School in 1956.
She attended Transylvania University where she was crowned Mrs. Transylvania in 1960. Alpha Jo was named to the Transylvania Hall of Fame in 2006. After earning a B.A. she began her teaching career at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1967 she moved to Owensboro and served for a time as Director of the Help Office. She then resumed her teaching career at Daviess County High School. During this time she spent many hours on the road between here and Bowling Green while earning her master’s degree at Western Kentucky University. She was a pioneer in every sense of the word, helping to establish the first girls’ basketball program at DCHS while teaching health and P.E. She went on to become the P.E. Department Head and served on the Site Based Council before her retirement in 1999.
Alpha Jo was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Her activities at First Christian included serving as a deacon and elder, teaching Sunday school for 30 years with the Fahola Class, flower ministry, youth group leadership, being a camp counsellor and serving Habitat for Humanity as a caulking extraordinaire. She was a true servant but also a versatile athlete, doo-dadder, bridge player, story-teller, crossword puzzler and doodler, refinisher, gardener, painter, upholsterer, wall-paperer, fixer-upper, problem solver, master of many trades, avid reader, skilled ping-pong player, conversationalist, collector of precious things, painter of rocks and a creator of fun games.
Alpha Jo never met a stranger, was a friend to countless folks and an honorary parent and grandparent to many.
She is survived by three children, Joseph Scott Luallen (Amber) of Lexington, Mary Lynne Luallen Roach (Ronnie) of Owensboro and James Phillip Luallen of Lexington; grandchildren, Phillip Luallen, Wesley Roach, Embry Luallen, Elee Roach, Alex Luallen, Ben Luallen and Lola Luallen; a sister, Mary Haylee Hancock of Madisonville; a nephew, Chad Hancock; a niece, Haylee Jo Hancock Coberly; and a dear friend and neighbor of 47 years, Pat Risch.
Expression of love and sympathy may take the form of donations to Disciples Women’s Ministry, Camp Kumbaya or the Luke Woodward Memorial Fund, all three in care of First Christian Church. Donations may also be made to Help Office of Owensboro or Habitat for Humanity.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, November 4th at First Christian Church. Visitation and refreshments will follow until 5:00 PM.
