Rupert Neil Scott, age 59 of Murfreesboro, died at St. Thomas Alive Hospice on March 8, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee after a year-long battle with stomach cancer. Neil is survived by his loving wife, Sheila Berry Scott, son, David Winston Scott, and daughter Stephanie Marie Gravely (Chris) of Murfreesboro and Sherry Lynn Shrewsbury (Josh) of Milledgeville, Ga. and four handsome grandsons, Cole Gravely, and Taylor, Eli and Dawson Shrewsbury. David Raymond Joy of Rockledge, FL, who was more a brother than cousin and his beloved aunt and uncle, Merle and Eloise Joy (Jacksonville, FL) and aunt Helen Walters (Santa Monica, CA) niece, Cheri Cockrum (Loek) Belleville, IL, nephew Sean Cockrum (April) Newport, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents John Taylor Scott, Jr. and Ruby Lee Winston, and sister, JoAnn Cockrum. Born in Montgomery, AL he grew up in Jacksonville, FL where he graduated from Andrew Jackson High School. There he played JV football and edited the Oracle yearbook. Neil was an Eagle Scout, loved surfing the North Jetties, and singing in the Eastport Baptist Church choir. Neil earned a BA in English from the University of South Florida, a MSLS in Library and Information Science from Florida State and an MBA from Stetson University and spent the following thirty-six years as a college and university librarian at William Carey College, Stetson University, and Georgia College & State University before settling at Middle Tennessee State University where he was Professor and User Services Librarian. Included in Whos Who in America, Neil was a recognized Flannery OConnor scholar, having written three books and a number of articles on her literary legacy, as well as more than two dozen professional articles in his own field. As a curious scholar who enormously enjoyed working closely with students, he loved his work and over his teaching career helped thousands of students with the literature review and research phases of their papers, theses and dissertations. Blessed with a happy marriage, Sheila was the love of his life and his children the lights of his world. Neil also valued his relationships with his friends and colleagues, enormously enjoying their cheerful visits during his final months. He always said that caring relationships and loving and feeling loved were of far more value than any accomplishments. He had a very special place in his heart for his friends in his Sunday School class at Trinity United Methodist Church, truer friends no one could ask for. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends all over the US, telling family stories and all the intimate moments that create the bonds of love and friendship. Visitation with the family will be from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10th at Woodfin Funeral Chapel in Murfreesboro. A Celebration of Neils life will be held Sunday, March 11th at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2303 Jones Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN. Pastor Mike Waldrop will officiate. Burial and a graveside service will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Stetson University in support of the R. Neil Scott Research Prize, DuPont-Ball Library, 421 North Woodland Blvd., Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723. Tel (386) 822-7183. Woodfin Funeral Chapel in Murfreesboro, TN is in charge of the arrangements. 615-893-5151 www.woodfinchapel.com