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In 1990, Jim Scarbary left his life savings to High Street Church - around $5000 after his extensive medical treatments for an incurable acquired immune disease - for the purpose of purchasing a piano.   Scarbary was our 1st "pianist" at High Street during the time we shared space with the selling congregation -The Church of Christ - a fundamentalist congregation that forbade musical instruments, so they sang a-cappella, without accompaniment.  They were also responsible for the removal and scrapping of an organ installed by the First Christian Church - builders of the Church circa 1898. 

Scarbary and Lindsay Holliday would bring portable electronic music keyboards into the Church during our allotted services times and we would make sure that no trace of the instruments were left behind after our services.   Charles Kight would likewise bring a portable stereo for recorded music, then remove it from sight. 

HSUUC - "Scarbary Music Fund" paid for most of our Yamaha grand piano that was purchased from the estate of locally renowned pianist and arts supporter - Doris Jelks.  The purchase was advocated and assisted by HSUUC member, and retired concert pianist, Linda Lane.

Mary Katherine Morn conducted a graveside service for Scarbary in Rose Hill Cemetery on a hillside overlooking the RR tracks where Scarbary had enjoyed quiet meditations.  He also enjoyed the power and the drama of close-passing freight trains, and in planning his own service, Scarbary timed the service so that a freight train would likely pass - thunderously - during the event - forcing everyone into a speechless surrender to the overwhelming noise and rhythmical power of the thumping, the clacking, the screeching wheels and the blasting horns "train whistle".

Some HSUUC references:

4 items in old newsletters referencing the HSUUC Piano benefactor, Jim Scarbary who passed away in 1990 (scan of these 4 newsletters are here)

- August 1989 newsletter - New Member profile of Jim Scarbary

- October 1990 - In Memoriam of Jim Scarbary who passed away at this home Sept 24.

- May 1991- Presidents Column by Phil Brown - Jim left us $5000.  We are using that towards purchase of a 7 and 1/2' grand piano that was located by Linda Lane.

- Aug 1991 - Scarbary Music Fund requesting pledges to finish purchase of the Doris Jelk's Piano.

Some family background information from his father's obit.... Jim's father died 17 years later:

"His only son and namesake, James Buford Scarbary, Jr., passed away in 1990. "

James Buford Scarbary, Sr.
 

 -MACON
- James Buford Scarbary, Sr., 89, went home to Heaven to be with his Lord on Wednesday, October 8, 2007.

His funeral and a celebration of his life will be 11A.M. Saturday, October 11th at Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church.

An interment gathering will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery where he will be laid to rest beside his wife. The Reverend Norman Carter will officiate at both services.

-Mr. Buford was born on March 16, 1919 in Twiggs County to Charles Jefferson and Trixie Dupree Scarbary and always lived in Macon. He worked at Willingham Mill from the age of 16 until it closed in the 60's. He then worked for the City of Macon until his retirement in 1984. Currently a member of Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church, Mr. Scarbary was a long time member of the former West Macon Baptist Church, He had a very special marriage to Myrtie Adams for 43 years until her death in 1988.

His only son and namesake, James Buford Scarbary, Jr., passed away in 1990.

A devoted and quiet but strong man, Buford will always be treasured by his family.

-He leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Allen McCook of Macon. His grandchildren are Sheri McCook of Birmingham, Alabama and Matt and Lauren McCook of Marietta. His great grandchildren are Taylor Kate and Luke McCook of Marietta. The next to the oldest of 12 children, he is survived by two brothers, Frank Scarbary of Gay and Wayman Scarbary of Forsyth.

-The family will greet friends on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Hart's at the Cupola. They may be contacted at 135 Lake Ridge Drive. They suggest memorial contributions be made to the Georgia Baptist State Missions Offering through their church, Wesleyan Drive Baptist with its emphasis this year on our Youth or to Hospice of Central Georgia who tended Buford so lovingly the last four months of his life, helping him stay at home with Margaret and Allen.

-Online register is located at www.hartsmort.com
-Hart's at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.
 Buford Scarbary