Ellis Loraine Driskell Scott, 97, a former longtime Skagit County resident, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2007 in Boerne, Texas. She was born in Diboll, Texas on January 28, 1910, the daughter of Mark & Minnie Brent Driskoll. She was the last surviving sibling in a family of 10 children. Being the oldest girl, she was no stranger to hard work and life on the farm.
That strong work ethic served her well when she attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Houston, TX immediately after graduating from high school. As she often reminded us, ‘In those days, we went to classes all day and then worked an 8 hour shift.’ She came to Washington State in 1940, to work at Northern State Hospital in Sedro-Woolley. While working part time in the Emergency Room, she met a fellow nurse, Frances Scott, who later insisted she meet her brother-in-law, Leonard Scott. The rest is history. Ellis who was then known as ‘Tex’ married Leonard C. Scott on June 22, 1942.
Len and ‘Tex’ lived in the Skagit Valley their entire married life. For many years they lived in Lyman where her huge vegetable and flower garden and yard were her pride and joy. She kept the basement shelves lined with canned goods that she harvested.
When her health began to decline, Ellis moved to Texas in 1999, to be near her daughter. For her birthday dinner on January 28th, she wanted fried oysters and thought they should come from Blau’s Oyster House. She had to settle for Texas oysters and ate a whole dozen!
She enjoyed life, her family and special friends that came to visit her when she was at the Skagit Valley Convalescent Center. Beulah Anderson, Barb Medford, Jessie Wenrick, Nancy Cook, Tillie Taylor, and others that were her and Len’s life long friends. Her grandchildren were very special to her and she always enjoyed their cards and visits.
She lived at Coastal Palms Nursing and Rehab Center in Portland, TX , until July, 2006 when she relocated to Town and Country Nursing and Rehab in Boerne, TX. The devoted doctors, nurses and C N A’s who cared for her are truly Angel’s and they were most appreciated.
She is survived by her daughter, Erva Vae Hardy and husband, Scott of San Antonio, TX; her son, Steve Scott and wife, Sue of Yakima, WA and step-son, Jerry McKinney and his wife, B.J of Satsop, WA. Grandchildren, Shirley Anthony and husband, Mike of Coppell, TX, Melissa and Susan, Amy Wilcox and husband, Rory of Pearland, TX, Stacy, Scott, Rory, Cory, Sara and Kara, Jeff Nelson and wife, Chrystal of Austin, TX, Ashley, Taylor, Joshua and Cooper, Jeremy Scott of Sedro Woolley Logan, Tonya Scott Madeline of Hamilton, Jonathan and Nathan Scott of Yakima, and Elizabeth and Terry Hilborn of LaPorte, TX Scotty and Brooklyn. Great-granddaughters, Kimberly Nelson and Michelle Burdette Ben. She was so proud to have a five generation picture taken three years ago with her first great-great grandchild, Courtney. Great granddaughters, Kimberly Nelson and Michelle Burdette Ben. Great-great grandbabies #2 and # 3 are due soon. She was blessed to have so many family members in Texas and many of her grandchildren, nieces and nephews gathered to celebrate her 90th and 95th birthdays. She also is survived by sister-in-laws, Loie Oilver of California and Frances Scott of Mt. Vernon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard and children, Linda Rae and Cleveland Vernon; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Medford Scott and grandsons, Colton Rody Scott and Michael Warren Nelson.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 3:00 PM at the Lyman Cemetery with Pastor Ron Edwards of the Hamilton Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Ellis and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com
The family will establish a perennial garden near the Community Center on Samish Island in her name.