Barbara Scott

Anita Barbara Scott, (Barbara), of Tulsa, Oklahoma passed away August 18, 2023 at the age of 100 years, 9 months and 20 days surrounded by a loving family.

Barbara was born and raised on a small farm in rural Niotaze, Kansas during the depression, in a home that never had a lot, but never lacked the essentials of life and was filled with love. Barbara said her mother could make more meals with less to work with than anyone she had ever seen. Barbara attended rural schools in the area and graduated a year earlier than her peers from Peru High School as Salutatorian of her class. She was also an accomplished equestrian and rode horses back and forth to school.                                                                                                                                                                                                

She married Arthur Gordon (Corky) Scott on Oct. 21, 1942, and was happily married to him for over 66 years until his death in 2008. She was a war bride and alternately followed Corky from base to base here in the states or lived with relatives while giving birth to their first child Karen.                          

Barbara worked outside the home in the banking industry as a bookkeeper and front-line teller. She had many customers who stayed in contact with her for many years after she retired because of her caring attitude and warm and friendly treatment of people. Though she worked outside the home much of her life, her family never suffered as she still cooked, sewed, and was chauffer for countless school and sports activities. She made many costumes and sewed and knitted many items for her children. Her pies were legendary and always brought a very high price to church fund raisers. She worked full time and yet still came home and cooked a complete meal for her family every evening. Her fried chicken was the best and her home-made bread was beyond comparison. She had no recipe for her pie crust but went by feel as to the texture and when it would be just right. It always was!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

After retirement she and Corky enjoyed many a driving trip to see America although Corky would tell you that Barbara couldn’t have seen much as she was knitting one of her many beautiful Afghans that she made. All her children and grandchildren wound up with at least one of these prizes. She was also a voracious reader in her later days and read hundreds of books and worked the puzzles in the newspaper up until the last year or so of her life. She read to her children countless bedtime stories while growing up and continued that practice with her grandchildren and great grandchildren as she loved reading to them. She loved music and encouraged and sometimes shamed her two boys into practicing their violins while growing up. This led to one being a music teacher and accomplished musician and the other a love for music and playing fiddle.  She and Corky loved going to the fiddle meets and listening to the music with Western Swing being a particular favorite. Many a trip out of town would end up with Corky and Barbara singing “Take Me Back to Tulsa” as they would get close to home. Barbara sang in the church choir for many years and participated in the bell choir and always worked hard to know her parts.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Barbara’s faith was unshakable, and she was the oldest living member of St. Marks United Methodist church having been a member there since 1967. She participated in many a bible study, discipleship program, was a member of UMW and served as church treasurer for many years. She loved the church and especially loved the lady’s prayer group and all its members. She spent many hours at home in study and her kitchen table was often strewn with books and devotionals. She also led adult classes and was a Bible Class teacher for the kids for many years. She instilled a strong sense of faith in her children and always had them up and ready to go to church even if they didn’t want to go. She was often the spiritual leader of the family and had little patience with excuses to miss. Barbara also served the community as she served meals on wheels until she was much older than many, she was taking meals to.                                                                                                                                                                          

Barbara spent her last year of life in Aberdeen Assisted Living and had won the hearts of all those who helped care for her even though she wasn’t very happy about going there at first.  Her warm smile and sweet nature will be missed by those who helped care for her. She was a very special lady who saw and lived a lot of life in 100 years. Her faith in, and love of God, her love of, and care for family, and her treatment of people will always be an example for all those who knew her. She will be greatly missed and leaves a spot in our hearts that can never be filled.

She was preceded in death by her husband A.G. (Corky) Scott and her eldest son Douglas Kemp Scott who passed ten years to the day before his mother.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Kathleen Notestine and husband Kent of Wichita Ks. Son Kirwin Kale Scott and wife Mary Jane of Inola Oklahoma. Two loving daughters-in-law, Mary Martha Stone and Mary Ruth Scott. Seven grandchildren, Kristen Liggett and spouse Bill of Austin Tx. Kelly Notestine of Hutchison Ks, Andrew Gordon Scott of Tulsa Ok. Sarah Elizabeth Corlett and spouse Daniel of Talala Ok. Isaac Peter Scott of Tulsa Ok. Hannah Lynn Scott of Inola Ok. Amos Kemp Scott and spouse Destiny of Inola Ok. Seven great grandchildren, Chelsea Ozorkiewicz and spouse Phil, Cassie Brown, Cameron Notestine, Collins, Letti Jo, and Reagan Corlett, Abel Kemp Scott and one great-great grandchild, Isaiah Ozorkiewicz.