Ophelia Tinsley Scott, 89, of Princeton, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at her home.
She was born on November 3, 1936, in Webster County, Kentucky, to her late parents, Robert and Thelda Protella Collins. In 2003, she made history as the first Black female magistrate in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when she was appointed Magistrate of the 2nd District of Caldwell County following the passing of her first husband, completing his term with dignity and compassion. That same year, she was honored with a key to the City of Princeton in recognition of her service and commitment to the community. She was also named a Kentucky Colonel, one of the Commonwealth’s highest honors.
A woman of deep and abiding faith, Ophelia served more than 50 years in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was also a member of the Church of God in Christ in Henderson. Throughout her years of ministry and service, she held numerous leadership roles, including Presbytery and Secretary at her local church in Princeton for over five decades, two terms as moderator of the Ohio Valley Presbytery, Kentucky State Synod Secretary overseeing five states for four years, and National Missionary Society Treasurer for 15 years. Beyond her many accomplishments, she will be remembered for her enjoyment of cooking, crochet work, word puzzle books, and traveling, as well as the special joy she found in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her two sons, John Tinsley and Roy Tinsley II, both of Princeton; one sister, Ruth Collins of Henderson; twelve grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Tinsley; second husband, Theophilus Scott; two sons, Bobby Tinsley and Manuel Tinsley; and sister, Mary Collins.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Morgan’s Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Morgan’s Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Ophelia’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, or online at www.stjude.org.
