Mrs. Harriette Kenyatta ("Bay") Scates

Life Reflections of a Boss

Harriette Kenyatta Scates, lovingly known as 'Bay' to her family and 'Sweetness' to her adoring husband, John, was called home by the Lord on August 24, 2023. Harriette was the beloved daughter born to Elvin and Gladys Woods on March 11, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri.  Our Bay has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of all who knew her.  Her sudden and unexpected transition reminds us all to stay rapture ready.  She was predeceased by her father, Elvin Woods.

Harriette was a proud alumna of Normandy High School, home of the Vikings, graduating in 1991. She furthered her education at Central Methodist University, earning a BA in Early Childcare and Education. Harriette's passion for children and families led her to a fulfilling career in the childcare field, beginning at the St. Louis Bibleway Church Day Care in the 1980s. St. Louis Bibleway Church Day Care became Agape Christian Academy Development Center directed by Mrs. Yvonne Griffin in 1992 where Elder Mark and Desiree’ Green were the principals. She later became a Professional Development Specialist for the CDA Council and a lead facilitator of the S.T.A.R, Inc. Program-Let’s Talk. Harriette also served on the board of T.E.A.C.H, a program that provides funding for teachers to attend college.

She was united in holy matrimony with John Scates. Sr. on September 18, 1993, and their union was blessed with three beautiful children, John Weldon, Jr., Kenyatta Johnaye’, and J'honna Chayah, and in December 2015, they opened their arms and expanded their family with their daughter, Asia Johnaye. Harriette's love and devotion to her family were unparalleled, and she was the true embodiment of a Proverbs 31 woman.

The Early Childcare Innovator Harriette

In 1999, Harriette and John started their own home daycare, which evolved into "A Chosen Generation Pre-School" and eventually became the "A Generation Chosen Pre-School." Their school was accredited in 2021 and partnered with the YWCA in 2022.  Harriette's dedication and commitment to early childhood education will continue to impact countless lives for generations to come.

Harriette's faith was a defining aspect of her life. She gave her life to the Lord at the tender age of twelve at Olivette Baptist Church, and her faith journey continued at Metro Christian Worship Center for more than twenty-five years. Harriette was a woman of great wisdom, filled with God's grace, patience, and mercy. She was a beacon of selfless love and faith, and her husband affectionately referred to her as "Sweetness" because of her embodiment of the fruits of the spirit.

Harriette enjoyed traveling and loved helping others build generational wealth. She was an intelligent and classy lady who, together with her husband, embraced multi-level marketing for multiple streams of income, reaching several cities like Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago and Dallas. Her favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11, was tattooed on her as a constant reminder of her faith and God's promise for her life.

In the words of the renowned theologian, C.S. Lewis, "The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last." Harriette Kenyatta Scates has now walked through that door, leaving behind an enduring legacy of love, faith, and service. Her spirit, her 'Sweetness,' will forever live on in the hearts of her loving and devoted husband, John Weldon Scates, Sr. (AKA baby) who she was in love with; one son, John Weldon Jr.; three daughters, Kenyatta, J’Honna and Asia; her mother, Mrs. Gladys (Robert) Bullock; sisters, Tanya (Keith) Harvey, Vanessa Woods, Angie Woods, Kendra Woods; brothers, Jerome Woods and Jim Woods; mother-in-love, Leona Campbell; sisters-in-love, Gail (Shawn) Greenlee, Denise Blackman, Karma Scates; brother-in-love, Lamarr Scates and a host of other relatives and friends.

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