Oliver Gilbert Scott

Oliver Gilbert Scott died peacefully surrounded by her family at the Roper Hospice Cottage in Mt. Pleasant, SC on August 16, 2022 at the age of 79. She was born in Elizabeth City, NC on April 6, 1943.
 
She attended Salem Academy where she excelled as a leader among her peers. She went on to attend Women’s College of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She taught English at Knox Jr. High School in Salisbury for 13 years.
 
She met Dr. Alan Scott in Salisbury and they were married in 1977. She joined the staff at Catawba College in 1981, where she enjoyed her role as the Assistant to the President for Special Events. Her tremendous contributions to Catawba were far-reaching. She planned and executed every major function at Catawba, including dinners, receptions, retreats, and other special occasions. A longtime benefactor of the college and a member of the Catawba Tower Society, Oliver created a trust designated for the endowment and support of the Cloninger Guest House. In addition, she established a First Family Scholarship while serving as a member of Catawba’s President Circle. In 2007, a campus walkway and fountain entitled “Oliver’s Way” was dedicated in her honor to commemorate her 25 years of service to Catawba College. The term was used to describe Oliver's way of doing things — "the right way."
 
As an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, she served on the Altar Guild and orchestrated the renovation and maintenance of the St. Agnes Room. Always looking to serve her community, she frequently volunteered her time, energy, and efforts at Rowan Helping Ministries.
 
Oliver was the quintessential lady. She was always impeccably dressed, but loved to fish and was known for having a green thumb. She was not afraid to bait a hook, pull a weed, or stake a tomato plant. She cherished her garden full of zinnias and daffodils and could create the most beautiful flower arrangements. She was fascinated with history and spent much of her life pursuing her love for travel. As a former English teacher and an avid reader, she was certainly a logophile, or “lover of words.”
 
Known as “O.O.” to her grandchildren, Oliver was the most present, adventurous, and fun-loving grandmother. They share fond memories of playing Old Maid, Spoons, taking golf cart trips, and running around the golf course in front of her yard. Trips to see “O.O.” were filled with a seemingly endless VHS tape selection, Fresca, twice baked potatoes, extravagant Easter egg hunts, trips to the K&W Cafeteria for lime jello, and summer history camps. She took her children and grandchildren on many trips showing them the world and sharing her love of travel. She loved her grandchildren unconditionally.
 
Her most endearing quality was her ability to make everyone feel welcome. She was the first to invite new families to Salisbury and host them at her dining room table. Oliver loved throwing extravagant dinner parties for friends and family celebrations. She was always quick to take dinner, flowers, or a gift to a friend to brighten their day. She made everything better than it was before; that was just “Oliver’s Way”.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Oliver Fearing Gilbert and Mary Meekins Gilbert; her husband and father of her daughters, Roy Craig Hoffner; her beloved husband of 40 years, Dr. Alan F. Scott; and her stepson, Alan Scott, Jr.
 
She is survived by her children, Mary Scott Henderson, Margaret Scott Barber (W. Freeman Barber, Jr.) Susan Winkler (David Winkler), Stuart Scott (Pat Scott), Elizabeth Poole (Jerry Poole); her sister, Mary Gilbert Lovings; and her niece, Elizabeth Lovings Solar.
 
Oliver had numerous grandchildren: Olivia Henderson, Marlowe Henderson, Catherine Henderson Rongo, Freeman Barber III, Hunt Barber, Kathryn Mohorn, Sarah Poret, Alan Scott, David Winkler, Jr., Melissa Winkler, Kelly Lakey, Blake Scott, and Addison Poole.
 
The family would like to thank Charles Gaither for his many years of dedication and caring for Oliver and her loved ones. In addition, the many caregivers at Arbor Acres and the staff at Roper Hospice Cottage.

A service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury on Monday, September 26 at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life at Oliver’s Way will take place in September. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Catawba College in memory of Oliver Scott to Oliver’s Way. 

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com