After decades of service, LaDonna Scott is retiring from the Global Ministry Center. Her tenure has been extensive: serving five IPHC General Superintendents throughout nearly 60 years.
LaDonna Scott
LaDonna’s service began in the 1950s when her father, R.L. Rex, who served IPHC from 1945-1973, started the Loan Fund, and he needed a secretary. LaDonna was taking a typing class at Taft Junior High, so she worked for him part-time for the next nine years.
She took a break until 1974 when she began working in the World Missions office. She was hired on a temporary basis by Bishop Williams, and she was only able to take the job because her mother agreed to watch her young daughters. However, she stuck around and worked as a research secretary and administrative assistant as well.
In 1976 though, LaDonna had to step away after one of her girls went missing. Although her young daughter was found safely the same day, LaDonna’s mother encouraged her to return home, and she did so until the 1981 General Conference. At that time, she began working for Bishop Leon Stewart as his executive assistant for 8 years, then followed him to Southwestern Christian University. In 1990, she returned to the GMC to serve as Jesse Simmons’ and then Donald Duncan’s executive assistant in World Missions where she stayed until 2005. From there, she became administrative assistant to the late Mike Gray and then executive assistant to Bishop James Leggett.
Beginning in 2010, LaDonna volunteered with the GMC, helped Bishop Carpenter for a short time, and helped close out department files as needed. Then, in 2013, Terry Fowler (former Chief of Staff) asked her to fill in yet again. Since that time, she has helped all departments with paperwork and archiving earning the nickname “headquarters’ cleaning lady.” She has also been executive assistant to Talmadge Gardner, World Missions Executive Director, for the last year.
“Serving alongside Mrs. LaDonna has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I do not know if I have ever met anyone that loves the IPHC or World Missions Ministries more than this Godly lady. The imprint that she leaves behind as she relocates from Oklahoma City to South Carolina is indelible. Words are inadequate at times like this to express the love, admiration, respect, and appreciation that I/we feel individually and collectively for this remarkable lady. The Priestly Blessing found in Numbers 6: 24-26 is a wonderful blessing that we declare over Mrs. LaDonna as she transitions into this new season of life and ministry:
‘The Lord bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!’
Mrs. LaDonna, ‘until we see you again, may God be with you,” shared Bishop Gardner.
Because her family travelled many months throughout the year, LaDonna always felt that the church was her family, so it is important to her to preserve the church’s history. This reverence towards history is shared by her daughter, Dr. Kristen Welch, who recently became the part-time Director of Archives and Research for IPHC, so even though LaDonna is leaving Oklahoma, she still plans to help at the GMC when visiting. She is also interested in doing more volunteer work after she moves to South Carolina, especially for the Daughters of the American Revolution.
We thank you, LaDonna, for all you have contributed over the years. God bless you in your future endeavors.
