Congressman David Albert Scott

David Albert Scott, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and tireless public servant, passed away peacefully at his home in Washington, D.C. on April 22, 2026. He was 80 years old.

Born on June 15, 1945, in Aynor, South Carolina, David was the eldest of two children born to Albert James and Mamie Polite Scott. His early years were marked by both resilience and rootedness shaped by the love of extended family across several cities and states. Around 1950, young David moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he lived with his paternal grandparents while his parents worked as live-in domestics. It was in Scranton that David's character began to take shape. At just nine years old, he shined shoes to earn his own money, an early lesson in the dignity of hard work that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

After the loss of his beloved grandmother in Scranton, David returned to Aynor to spend a year in the care of his maternal grandparents before rejoining his parents, who had taken new positions for a wealthy family in Scarsdale, New York. David later settled in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he attended Campbell Street High School and laid the foundation for the next chapter of his journey.

From Daytona Beach, David set his sights higher, enrolling at Florida A&M University, initially as a theatre major, he developed a gift for storytelling, presence, and persuasion. He would also discover not only a passion for public life, but the woman he would love for the rest of his days, Alfredia Aaron.

A proud member of the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., David carried the brotherhood's tradition of scholarship and service with him throughout his remarkable career. He later earned a Master of Business from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to found Daynmark Advertising, a family-run business that reflected his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to family.

On October 15, 1969, David and Alfredia were married, building a home rooted in love, faith, and purpose. Together they welcomed two daughters: Dayna Scott in 1973, and Marcye Scott, who followed in 1975 to complete their family.

David's call to public service began in 1974 when he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly, where he would serve with distinction in both the state House and Senate for nearly three decades. In 2002, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives as the Congressman for Georgia's 13th Congressional District, a role he would hold with unwavering dedication for more than twenty years. At the time of his passing, he was actively campaigning for his 13th term representing the 13th district, a testament to his enduring commitment to the people he served.

In Congress, David Scott distinguished himself as a powerful voice for farmers, working families, and underserved communities. He made history as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, where he advocated for rural development, food assistance programs, and long-overdue equity for minority farmers.

One of the Congressman’s most proud accomplishments was the obtainment of $80 million in funding for scholarships at 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country through the Farm Bill. In March 2026, the House Committee on Agriculture renamed the scholarship program to “The David A. Scott Scholarship Program for Students at 1890 Institutions”.

Though his district was rooted in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Congressman Scott earned deep bipartisan respect for his ability to bridge the divide between urban and rural priorities, a rare and valued gift in American politics. His colleagues remembered him as a leader of both conviction and compassion, one who never lost sight of the people behind the policy.

David Scott will be remembered not only for his legislative legacy, but for the warmth and devotion he brought to every room he entered. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Alfredia Scott; his daughters, Dayna and Marcye Scott; his sister, Michelle Scott; his grandchildren, Kaylin Gloria and Kimani Scott Vidal; a host of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a legacy spanning more than five decades of service to the State of Georgia and
the nation.

Per his final wishes, Congressman Scott will be laid to rest in Atlanta, Georgia, the city he called home.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the David A. Scott Legacy Foundation, established to provide financial support to graduating seniors within Georgia's 13th Congressional District attending a Historically Black College or University.

David Albert Scott — speaker, trailblazer, advocate, statesman, and family man — leaves behind a life well-lived and a light that will not dim.

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