Stepping inside the little convenience store located at G.W.C. Homes, with one glance one might think the store is like any other — with household items or candy for sale — but with a second look, visitors notice the difference.

Lewis Scott, former owner of Scott’s Grocery, which opened in 1962, was blind. The storeowner, beloved and respected by his community, died July 4, at the age of 74.

Losing his eyesight to glaucoma in 1957, Scott could tell who his customers were by the sound of their voices. It took Scott six months to learn and memorize every product and its cost.  For Scott, it was all about supporting his family.

“For me, there wasn’t much of a choice of what I was going to do,” Scott said in a previous interview with the Times-Journal. “I had to stay alive.”

After nearly 50 years, Scott closed the store two years ago, when his health started to fail. Family and friends recall Scott’s dedication to his customers, especially children, and to his work.

“A lot of children came through that location…he was all about children,” said Scott’s niece Sonya Ross. “I think it (the store) brought the community together. Everybody respected him as a hero of the community.

“There were no break-ins, no anything. It was a blessing.”

Ross said her uncle’s store offered anything and everything to customers.

“There were penny cookies, household products, tissue, soda and candy — anything you needed,” Ross said. “He’d give anybody (store) credit who wanted it. He helped the black community.”

In early 2000, Visually Impaired People (VIP) Organization, Inc., named Scott “Blind Person of the Year” for his contributions to the area. VIP president William Bowman said he first learned about Scott through Scott’s wife Clara, who often helped in the store.

“He was an independent-thinking businessman who raised two children on his income,” Bowman said. “He had a work ethic that was amazing — working six days a week and on holidays. He proved his disability was not going to limit what he would achieve…He lived the ultimate dream of owning a business and it was successful… We need more people like him.”

Bowman said he was impressed by how Ross could get things correct.

“I was amazed at how he could read money and give back the correct change,” Bowman said. “He’s an inspiration to others to do what you have to do to achieve goals.”

Building a strong community, Ross said, is Scott’s legacy.

“He wanted to meet the needs of all the community — black, white, rich or poor,” Ross said. “He wanted all people of Dallas County to work together as one. I’m trying to follow in his footsteps… He was a great man.”

A memorial service for Scott was held Sunday afternoon at Siloam Baptist Church in Orrville, Scott’s home church. Miller’s Funeral Service performed the funeral arrangements. Ross is survived by his wife Clara, two daughters and grandchildren.