What began in her home kitchen moved to the garage and then grew into Southern Supreme Fruitcakes and More; now a 40,000-square-foot facility in Bear Creek. “When we started, it was just my mom and three ladies from her beauty shop,” recalls her son, Randy Scott.

Today, Southern Supreme employs more than 100 people during the holidays and produces nearly 300,000 pounds of fruitcake each season. But ask anyone there, and they’ll tell you they haven’t forgotten their roots. They’re full southern charm, down-to-earth and thankful for every bit of their success.

Berta Lou says you have to “teach people how to eat fruitcake.” Her recipe is heavy on nuts and light on fruit; a combination that turned skeptics into fans. “Most people realize pretty quick it’s not really fruitcake,” Randy says with a grin. “It’s nut cake.”

Beyond fruitcake, the family now makes cookies, chocolates, brittles, and other southern sweets. Each fall, their annual open house draws 4,000 to 5,000 visitors and officially kicks off the Christmas season. Decorations go up as early as July, and the holiday spirit fills every corner. “For some folks, this is their Christmas”, Randy says.

As longtime members of Randolph EMC, the Scotts say their co-op has been part of their story every step of the way. “Randolph EMC has never let us down,” Randy says. “It means a lot to see these folks in church or around town; they’re part of our community.”

Through it all, Berta Lou’s faith remains at the center. “I kept trying to fight the Lord’s calling,” she says with a smile. “But He said make fruitcake, so that’s what I did.”