Parents Eron Mider Myers Parris memorial #35043681 and Grover Cleveland Parris...Husbands Robert Lamar Whitaker and Harry Arnold Scott...Sons Robert and Wesley.
Was a member of the Christian Church. Did not have a viewing or funeral. Was cremated. No obituary. Marriage date to Harry was 7-20-1946. Was 87 years old.
King Herod's wife turning over throne to someone else
By BILL WHITAKER
After 44 years of sharing the throne, longtime hairdresser Maida Scott says it's time to cede her crown.
This year's Albany Nativity will mark the last time 72-year-old Maida plays the role of Elpis, King Herod's wife. She's been doing the role since 1952, when playwright and director Robert Nail tapped her for the role.
Asked why she's abandoning the royal role when she's still so full of spunk and wit, Maida replied: "Why, I've gone through four husbands!"
She's referring to the men who've played King Herod, the latest of which is 34-year-old Alan Jones. Through the years Alan has played everything in the Albany Nativity from Boy King David to the angel Gabriel.
Fellow cast members find it hard to believe Maida's stepping down. Alan, a Bassetti Elementary music teacher who's also directing this year's production, says Maida knows the play so well she's a ready resource on staging particularities.
"I guess there's just enough actress in me that I like being in it year after year," Maida told me backstage during a nighttime rehearsal. "I was in the Fandangle till '82. Played Hurricane Minnie, this cigar-smoking saloon gal. Never missed a performance and only missed one practice. I was in Hawaii."
SPEECHLESS ON STAGE?
The Albany Nativity has been an area favorite since its first staging Dec. 18, 1939. It's the brainchild of the late Robert Nail, also responsible for the Fort Griffin Fandangle, an annual musical pageant celebrating Shackelford County's rich history.
Although the Nativity has occasionally gone years without a staging, organizers hope it can be an annual event. Famed West Texas rancher Watt Matthews has been such a fan he encouraged the Aztec Theater's recent renovation so the homespun biblical play would have a permanent home.
Maida, a native of Truscott who moved to Albany in 1946, didn't become involved with the production till 1952.
"V. Lee Sanders had done (the role of Elpis) till then," she recalled. "She was marvelous with it, too, but if something went wrong or got messed up, she'd get so angry she'd tear the dress right off herself.
"Well, Bob Nail came to me one year and said they needed me to do it. And I said, 'But, Bob, that's V. Lee's part,' and he said, 'Not anymore!'"
Maida initially feared V. Lee's reaction, "but she never did get mad about it. In fact, she came to me and said, 'Listen, Maida, if there's anything I can ever do to help, you just tell me.'
"I love her to death. I consider her one of my best friends." (V. Lee, 77, today deep into ranching and still ever-opinionated, says she may have chewed up the scenery on occasion and did have a falling out with Bob Nail during one rehearsal, "but I never ripped off my clothes.")
Maida says most of her stints on stage during the Albany Nativity have gone smoothly, though she did have a scare one year, not long after she agreed to take over the role of King Herod's wife.
"I lost my voice one year. Bob said, 'Don't worry, you'll get your voice back once you get on stage.' And I said, 'Bob, I don't know about that.' And you know, I stepped out on that stage and said, 'My Lord Herod.' And my voice came back!
"Bob said it was just a case of nerves."
CHAOTIC REHEARSALS
Maida was able to return the favor in 1965, when Nativity rehearsals seemed in shambles.
"Everything that could go wrong went wrong," she said. "Bob was walking up and down the aisle saying, 'Oh, my! Oh, my!' Things had gone so bad even the angel had fallen off his perch. And I told him, 'Bob, don't worry, everything will go perfect.'
"And, you know, it did."
Even without the Fandangle and the Nativity, life will stay busy for Maida. Besides pursuits with Harry, her husband of 50 years and a retired pumper for Fina, she keeps her hand in hairdressing, even though she formally took down her shingle some years ago.
Alas, some of those efforts have gone toward preparing friends' hair for funerals. Normally she might opt out of such a thing, but friends insist.
"If you don't do my hair," one woman threatened before her death, "you're not gonna get to stay in hell long enough to burn because I'll kick you out myself!"
That was just enough to scare old King Herod's wife into the job.
The Albany Nativity runs tonight through Saturday at the Aztec Theater, with performances at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Admission is free. Call the Chamber of Commerce, 762-2525, for reservations.
Was a member of the Christian Church. Did not have a viewing or funeral. Was cremated. No obituary. Marriage date to Harry was 7-20-1946. Was 87 years old.
King Herod's wife turning over throne to someone else
By BILL WHITAKER
After 44 years of sharing the throne, longtime hairdresser Maida Scott says it's time to cede her crown.
This year's Albany Nativity will mark the last time 72-year-old Maida plays the role of Elpis, King Herod's wife. She's been doing the role since 1952, when playwright and director Robert Nail tapped her for the role.
Asked why she's abandoning the royal role when she's still so full of spunk and wit, Maida replied: "Why, I've gone through four husbands!"
She's referring to the men who've played King Herod, the latest of which is 34-year-old Alan Jones. Through the years Alan has played everything in the Albany Nativity from Boy King David to the angel Gabriel.
Fellow cast members find it hard to believe Maida's stepping down. Alan, a Bassetti Elementary music teacher who's also directing this year's production, says Maida knows the play so well she's a ready resource on staging particularities.
"I guess there's just enough actress in me that I like being in it year after year," Maida told me backstage during a nighttime rehearsal. "I was in the Fandangle till '82. Played Hurricane Minnie, this cigar-smoking saloon gal. Never missed a performance and only missed one practice. I was in Hawaii."
SPEECHLESS ON STAGE?
The Albany Nativity has been an area favorite since its first staging Dec. 18, 1939. It's the brainchild of the late Robert Nail, also responsible for the Fort Griffin Fandangle, an annual musical pageant celebrating Shackelford County's rich history.
Although the Nativity has occasionally gone years without a staging, organizers hope it can be an annual event. Famed West Texas rancher Watt Matthews has been such a fan he encouraged the Aztec Theater's recent renovation so the homespun biblical play would have a permanent home.
Maida, a native of Truscott who moved to Albany in 1946, didn't become involved with the production till 1952.
"V. Lee Sanders had done (the role of Elpis) till then," she recalled. "She was marvelous with it, too, but if something went wrong or got messed up, she'd get so angry she'd tear the dress right off herself.
"Well, Bob Nail came to me one year and said they needed me to do it. And I said, 'But, Bob, that's V. Lee's part,' and he said, 'Not anymore!'"
Maida initially feared V. Lee's reaction, "but she never did get mad about it. In fact, she came to me and said, 'Listen, Maida, if there's anything I can ever do to help, you just tell me.'
"I love her to death. I consider her one of my best friends." (V. Lee, 77, today deep into ranching and still ever-opinionated, says she may have chewed up the scenery on occasion and did have a falling out with Bob Nail during one rehearsal, "but I never ripped off my clothes.")
Maida says most of her stints on stage during the Albany Nativity have gone smoothly, though she did have a scare one year, not long after she agreed to take over the role of King Herod's wife.
"I lost my voice one year. Bob said, 'Don't worry, you'll get your voice back once you get on stage.' And I said, 'Bob, I don't know about that.' And you know, I stepped out on that stage and said, 'My Lord Herod.' And my voice came back!
"Bob said it was just a case of nerves."
CHAOTIC REHEARSALS
Maida was able to return the favor in 1965, when Nativity rehearsals seemed in shambles.
"Everything that could go wrong went wrong," she said. "Bob was walking up and down the aisle saying, 'Oh, my! Oh, my!' Things had gone so bad even the angel had fallen off his perch. And I told him, 'Bob, don't worry, everything will go perfect.'
"And, you know, it did."
Even without the Fandangle and the Nativity, life will stay busy for Maida. Besides pursuits with Harry, her husband of 50 years and a retired pumper for Fina, she keeps her hand in hairdressing, even though she formally took down her shingle some years ago.
Alas, some of those efforts have gone toward preparing friends' hair for funerals. Normally she might opt out of such a thing, but friends insist.
"If you don't do my hair," one woman threatened before her death, "you're not gonna get to stay in hell long enough to burn because I'll kick you out myself!"
That was just enough to scare old King Herod's wife into the job.
The Albany Nativity runs tonight through Saturday at the Aztec Theater, with performances at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Admission is free. Call the Chamber of Commerce, 762-2525, for reservations.
Parents Eron Mider Myers Parris memorial #35043681 and Grover Cleveland Parris...Husbands Robert Lamar Whitaker and Harry Arnold Scott...Sons Robert and Wesley.
Was a member of the Christian Church. Did not have a viewing or funeral. Was cremated. No obituary. Marriage date to Harry was 7-20-1946. Was 87 years old.
King Herod's wife turning over throne to someone else
By BILL WHITAKER
After 44 years of sharing the throne, longtime hairdresser Maida Scott says it's time to cede her crown.
This year's Albany Nativity will mark the last time 72-year-old Maida plays the role of Elpis, King Herod's wife. She's been doing the role since 1952, when playwright and director Robert Nail tapped her for the role.
Asked why she's abandoning the royal role when she's still so full of spunk and wit, Maida replied: "Why, I've gone through four husbands!"
She's referring to the men who've played King Herod, the latest of which is 34-year-old Alan Jones. Through the years Alan has played everything in the Albany Nativity from Boy King David to the angel Gabriel.
Fellow cast members find it hard to believe Maida's stepping down. Alan, a Bassetti Elementary music teacher who's also directing this year's production, says Maida knows the play so well she's a ready resource on staging particularities.
"I guess there's just enough actress in me that I like being in it year after year," Maida told me backstage during a nighttime rehearsal. "I was in the Fandangle till '82. Played Hurricane Minnie, this cigar-smoking saloon gal. Never missed a performance and only missed one practice. I was in Hawaii."
SPEECHLESS ON STAGE?
The Albany Nativity has been an area favorite since its first staging Dec. 18, 1939. It's the brainchild of the late Robert Nail, also responsible for the Fort Griffin Fandangle, an annual musical pageant celebrating Shackelford County's rich history.
Although the Nativity has occasionally gone years without a staging, organizers hope it can be an annual event. Famed West Texas rancher Watt Matthews has been such a fan he encouraged the Aztec Theater's recent renovation so the homespun biblical play would have a permanent home.
Maida, a native of Truscott who moved to Albany in 1946, didn't become involved with the production till 1952.
"V. Lee Sanders had done (the role of Elpis) till then," she recalled. "She was marvelous with it, too, but if something went wrong or got messed up, she'd get so angry she'd tear the dress right off herself.
"Well, Bob Nail came to me one year and said they needed me to do it. And I said, 'But, Bob, that's V. Lee's part,' and he said, 'Not anymore!'"
Maida initially feared V. Lee's reaction, "but she never did get mad about it. In fact, she came to me and said, 'Listen, Maida, if there's anything I can ever do to help, you just tell me.'
"I love her to death. I consider her one of my best friends." (V. Lee, 77, today deep into ranching and still ever-opinionated, says she may have chewed up the scenery on occasion and did have a falling out with Bob Nail during one rehearsal, "but I never ripped off my clothes.")
Maida says most of her stints on stage during the Albany Nativity have gone smoothly, though she did have a scare one year, not long after she agreed to take over the role of King Herod's wife.
"I lost my voice one year. Bob said, 'Don't worry, you'll get your voice back once you get on stage.' And I said, 'Bob, I don't know about that.' And you know, I stepped out on that stage and said, 'My Lord Herod.' And my voice came back!
"Bob said it was just a case of nerves."
CHAOTIC REHEARSALS
Maida was able to return the favor in 1965, when Nativity rehearsals seemed in shambles.
"Everything that could go wrong went wrong," she said. "Bob was walking up and down the aisle saying, 'Oh, my! Oh, my!' Things had gone so bad even the angel had fallen off his perch. And I told him, 'Bob, don't worry, everything will go perfect.'
"And, you know, it did."
Even without the Fandangle and the Nativity, life will stay busy for Maida. Besides pursuits with Harry, her husband of 50 years and a retired pumper for Fina, she keeps her hand in hairdressing, even though she formally took down her shingle some years ago.
Alas, some of those efforts have gone toward preparing friends' hair for funerals. Normally she might opt out of such a thing, but friends insist.
"If you don't do my hair," one woman threatened before her death, "you're not gonna get to stay in hell long enough to burn because I'll kick you out myself!"
That was just enough to scare old King Herod's wife into the job.
The Albany Nativity runs tonight through Saturday at the Aztec Theater, with performances at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Admission is free. Call the Chamber of Commerce, 762-2525, for reservations.
Was a member of the Christian Church. Did not have a viewing or funeral. Was cremated. No obituary. Marriage date to Harry was 7-20-1946. Was 87 years old.
King Herod's wife turning over throne to someone else
By BILL WHITAKER
After 44 years of sharing the throne, longtime hairdresser Maida Scott says it's time to cede her crown.
This year's Albany Nativity will mark the last time 72-year-old Maida plays the role of Elpis, King Herod's wife. She's been doing the role since 1952, when playwright and director Robert Nail tapped her for the role.
Asked why she's abandoning the royal role when she's still so full of spunk and wit, Maida replied: "Why, I've gone through four husbands!"
She's referring to the men who've played King Herod, the latest of which is 34-year-old Alan Jones. Through the years Alan has played everything in the Albany Nativity from Boy King David to the angel Gabriel.
Fellow cast members find it hard to believe Maida's stepping down. Alan, a Bassetti Elementary music teacher who's also directing this year's production, says Maida knows the play so well she's a ready resource on staging particularities.
"I guess there's just enough actress in me that I like being in it year after year," Maida told me backstage during a nighttime rehearsal. "I was in the Fandangle till '82. Played Hurricane Minnie, this cigar-smoking saloon gal. Never missed a performance and only missed one practice. I was in Hawaii."
SPEECHLESS ON STAGE?
The Albany Nativity has been an area favorite since its first staging Dec. 18, 1939. It's the brainchild of the late Robert Nail, also responsible for the Fort Griffin Fandangle, an annual musical pageant celebrating Shackelford County's rich history.
Although the Nativity has occasionally gone years without a staging, organizers hope it can be an annual event. Famed West Texas rancher Watt Matthews has been such a fan he encouraged the Aztec Theater's recent renovation so the homespun biblical play would have a permanent home.
Maida, a native of Truscott who moved to Albany in 1946, didn't become involved with the production till 1952.
"V. Lee Sanders had done (the role of Elpis) till then," she recalled. "She was marvelous with it, too, but if something went wrong or got messed up, she'd get so angry she'd tear the dress right off herself.
"Well, Bob Nail came to me one year and said they needed me to do it. And I said, 'But, Bob, that's V. Lee's part,' and he said, 'Not anymore!'"
Maida initially feared V. Lee's reaction, "but she never did get mad about it. In fact, she came to me and said, 'Listen, Maida, if there's anything I can ever do to help, you just tell me.'
"I love her to death. I consider her one of my best friends." (V. Lee, 77, today deep into ranching and still ever-opinionated, says she may have chewed up the scenery on occasion and did have a falling out with Bob Nail during one rehearsal, "but I never ripped off my clothes.")
Maida says most of her stints on stage during the Albany Nativity have gone smoothly, though she did have a scare one year, not long after she agreed to take over the role of King Herod's wife.
"I lost my voice one year. Bob said, 'Don't worry, you'll get your voice back once you get on stage.' And I said, 'Bob, I don't know about that.' And you know, I stepped out on that stage and said, 'My Lord Herod.' And my voice came back!
"Bob said it was just a case of nerves."
CHAOTIC REHEARSALS
Maida was able to return the favor in 1965, when Nativity rehearsals seemed in shambles.
"Everything that could go wrong went wrong," she said. "Bob was walking up and down the aisle saying, 'Oh, my! Oh, my!' Things had gone so bad even the angel had fallen off his perch. And I told him, 'Bob, don't worry, everything will go perfect.'
"And, you know, it did."
Even without the Fandangle and the Nativity, life will stay busy for Maida. Besides pursuits with Harry, her husband of 50 years and a retired pumper for Fina, she keeps her hand in hairdressing, even though she formally took down her shingle some years ago.
Alas, some of those efforts have gone toward preparing friends' hair for funerals. Normally she might opt out of such a thing, but friends insist.
"If you don't do my hair," one woman threatened before her death, "you're not gonna get to stay in hell long enough to burn because I'll kick you out myself!"
That was just enough to scare old King Herod's wife into the job.
The Albany Nativity runs tonight through Saturday at the Aztec Theater, with performances at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Admission is free. Call the Chamber of Commerce, 762-2525, for reservations.
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