Alma Jean Scriven

Alma J. Scriven was born July 27, 1938 in Holly Hill, SC to Ernest and Alma Cummings. She gained her wings to Glory on Wednesday morning, January 4, 2017 after prolonged illnesses. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clarence Scriven Sr., a son, Clarence Jr., a brother Harris Cummings, a sister Helen Allen, and a son-in-law Michael Thomas. Jean, as she was lovingly called by her girlfriends, was educated at Roberts High School in Holly Hill, SC where she graduated 1st in her class. She also graduated from South Carolina State College (now University) with honors, majoring in History and Library Science. Upon her marriage, she relocated to Paterson, NJ. Alma became the first Black person to ever be employed as faculty with the Irvington Board of Education. Alma maintained employment for 32 years as a Media Art Specialist. In addition to working for the IBE, she was secondarily employed for more than twenty years with Passaic County Community College and finally Upsala College (part time).   Alma was a diligent worker making every effort to advance in her career. This was achieved by attending St. Johns University in New York City where she obtained her Master’s degree in Library Science. Although she excelled in academics, as a loving and kind person, her first love was working in the church, serving God at First A.M.E. Zion Church in Paterson, NJ, she served in many capacities: Quarterly Conference Secretary, designed and ran summer camps for children, member of the Pastors Aide, and was the first female president of the Board of Trustees. She continued her service at Edwards Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church as Church secretary, President of the Missionary Society, Home Mission Workers, Deaconess and on the district level Representative of the World Federation of Methodist and United Women, Lay Counsel Treasurer and President of Conference Workers for Columbia and Camden District. In the community she was active in the NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also involved in many other activities. She leave to cherish her memory, one daughter Dr. Angela Scriven (Precise Wells) of East Point, GA; One grandson Clarence III of Irvington, NJ; One daughter-in-law Sharon Scriven of Irvington, NJ; Three godchildren Isaiah Williams of Aynor, SC; Monica Austin of Paterson, NJ; and Andrea McClane of Kennesaw, GA; Two nieces Alfreda Gail Bryant (Timothy) of Columbia, SC and Peggy Ferguson (Arthur) of Fort Washington, MD; several nephews Dullie Wright of Walterboro, SC; Harris Cummings, Jr. (Claresa) of Waldorf, MD; Larry Cummings of Washington DC; Anthony Cummings of Capital Heights, MD; Michael Cummings of Baltimore, MD; Mark Cummings of Odenton, MD; and Kevin Cummings (Alison) of Essex, MD. Alma had a friend who was a constant companion, Barbara Stewart and several devoted friends for many years, Sarah Finney of Rutherfordton, NY; Winifred Cleo Williams of Conway, SC; Norver Jaeder of Lake City; Vivian Petgave of Hawthorne, NJ; Odeline Truitt of Newark, NJ; Freddie Givens of Paterson, NJ; and Rosemary Bittings of Maplewood, NJ. She will be missed and cherished by a host of family, friends, and colleagues. “What we do in life, echoes in eternity….”