A Celebration of Life for Beth Scott Backus of Ruston, LA will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston with Bro. James Hester officiating.
Beth was born January 22, 1930 in Star City, AR as the third of four children belonging to Charles Mansfield Scott and Henry Elizabeth O’Neel Scott. She attended Star City High School, Arkansas State Teachers’ College and was a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas Class of 1950. Beth married Joe Carroll Backus of Springdale, AR January 7, 1951, a union that lasted for more than 61 years until his passing in 2012.
Beth was a very special woman of God who had a wonderful way of making everyone feel so special and loved, frequently singing the song, “You’re Something Special” to those she loved. She set an example worthy to follow, demonstrated by her beautiful life and witness. Some of her greatest joys were serving with Joe on mission trips and church camps, serving as a high school choral director for more than 27 years, leading the singles class at Cook Baptist in Ruston and being “Bootsiemom” to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Together with her husband Joe, they were the founding directors of Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice, LA, a thriving Christian camp that continues to share the Gospel and make disciples to this day.
Wherever she went, Beth lived the lyrics, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Her love for her Lord, her husband, family, countless friends and strangers shone brightly through her stalwart character and vivacious spirit. Truly, she was a Proverbs 31 woman, the quintessential pastor’s wife and a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Beth could light up the darkest room just by walking in. She had a larger-than-life personality and presence, yet one that was tempered by humility and a servant’s heart. Praise and worship were not only things Beth did, they were the life she lived. God granted her a double-portion of the gift of encouragement, something she freely shared with everyone around her.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband Joe; two brothers: Arlen Mansfield Scott and Noel Dane Scott; and one sister Carolea Scott Hassard.
Beth is survived by her two children: Melaney Elizabeth Backus DeOliviera and husband Rhea of Ruston, LA and Joe Carroll “Jody” Backus, II and wife Sherri of Benton, LA; five grandsons: Charley DeOliviera and wife Charlotte of Dubach, LA, Bryan DeOliviera and wife Nikki of Alberta, Canada, Ben Backus and wife Lindsay of Nashville, TN, Stephen Backus and wife Hannah of Choudrant, LA and Caleb Backus and wife Cassidy of Bossier City, LA; two granddaughters: Tori Johnson and husband Mark of Benton, LA and Courtney Hester and husband James of Benton, LA; and eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Acadian Baptist Center, 1202 Academy Drive, Eunice, LA 70535. The web address for the camp is https://abccamp.com.
