Dorothy Jean Scales

Dorothy Jean "Diji" Scales passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 16, 2010, at Summer Meadows Nursing and Rehab in Longview. Diji was born on January 15, 1926, in Mission, Texas, to Walter B. and Alice Lee Roberts. She married the love of her life, C.M. "Bill" Scales in 1943. Diji had a lifelong passion for the arts which began in her youth with music and a voice that developed into a world class opera talent featured at Carnegie Hall and a European concert tour. She later created from the backyard of her home, Riverside Galleries, which became a nationally recognized gallery bringing world class art to Shreveport, Louisiana. Not only did she bring art from around the world to the region, she was a gifted artist in her own right. In 1988 she and Bill moved to Longview, TX, and soon became immersed in the arts again. Diji and Bill became the driving force behind quality opera performances in the region through the Longview Opera Association. This only begins to tell the depth of the story behind Diji. From a Red Cross driver during WWII, Junior League in Shreveport, Shreveport Opera Guild and countless contributions to the arts and community involvement, both in Shreveport and Longview, Diji's legacy lives on. Through her involvement with Trinity Episcopal Church and The Order of the Daughters of the King, Diji's love for God and her community inspired a life of giving and nurturing of others. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Diji was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, her brother, Walter B. "Billy" Roberts, Jr. and Alice Lee "Sister" Rackley. She is survived by their three sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Sharon Scales of Lees Summit, MO, Rick and Gayle Scales of Dothan, AL, Tom and Jodie Scales of Saudi Arabia and Longview; seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in memory of Diji to: Trinity Episcopal Church, 906 Padon, Longview, Texas 75601 and East Texas Opera, 400 North 2nd St., Longview, Texas 75601. A graveside service for family and friends will be held at Rosewood Park's Chapel Mausoleum at 12:30 PM Saturday, March 20, 2010, with a memorial service following at Trinity Episcopal Church at 2:00 PM with the Reverend Kevin Wittmayer and Rev. Shanna Saurez officiating.

Dorothy Jean Scales

January 15, 1926 - March 16, 2010