Eva Marie (Thomas) Scott

Eva Marie (Thomas) Scott, 84, of Harrison TN, passed to her rest peacefully at home with her family by her side, Sunday, October 9, 2022. Eva was a member of the Ooltewah Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Ooltewah, TN. 

She was twice widowed, Don Arnold 35 years and John Scott 12 years. Her parents Dr. B. F. Thomas, his wife Elsie, her step-mother Marthine, and her son, Douglas Arnold (July 14, 1957 - July 5, 2015), also proceeded her in death. She is survived by her brother Benjamin Thomas Jr. his wife Rita, her sister Theresa Wynn, her children Sharon Arnold, Timothy Arnold, Judy Bartlett, and Brenda Miller, her sons in law Charles Bartlett Jr. and Ron Miller, her grandchildren Anna Bartlett, Emily Bartlett and her husband Stephen Wade, Thomas Bartlett, Daniel Miller, and Mathew Miller. She was also greatly beloved by her nieces Joanna Carpenter, and Sylvia Potts among others.

She was born in Petosky, Michigan and moved south to the Carolinas as young child. The family, after moving several times, finally settled in Morganton, North Carolina. There they owned and operated a nursing home. She attended Mt. Pisgah Academy, transferred to Bristol business college for a two-year degree, earned her LPN nursing degree in Greenville, TN, and then returned to Morganton to work in the family business. She met the love of her life, Don Arnold, when visiting relatives in Johnson City, TN. They married in 1956 and spent 35 wonderful years together, most of which were in Hendersonville, NC. Later she married John Scott and they spent 12 special years together living by Lake Hartwell for many years with their final years living with Eva’s son Timothy and daughter Sharon in Hendersonville, NC. After a head on collision in 2008, she moved to Harrison, TN to live with her daughter Brenda. She did not drive anymore but tremendously enjoyed going many places, playing games, cooking, and singing at Brenda’s. She also spent summers gardening, canning, and singing, with her other daughter, Judy. She loved going to church wherever she was.

She worked many years at Mountain Sanitarium Hospital, in Fletcher, NC before switching to long term care. She eventually moved into private duty nursing and finally retired to babysitting. In her profession as an LPN, she was beloved by her patients for her considerate caregiving and thoughtful kindnesses like getting them hairpins or other personal items that, though not required, brought happiness. Her patients ever had her name on their lips when she arrived at work. In her retirement she babysat all the neighborhood children while ensuring that they made it to school and to the pool.

She enjoyed hiking, gardening, tending animals, and spending time with her family. To many she was known as the goat lady and her children loved her homemade goat cheese on her homemade whole wheat bread. She could cook a feast from scratch. No one went hungry when Mama was around. We remember fishing, and swimming and sliding down the rocks at the Big Hungry swimming hole. Mom loved children and believed in Christian education. She sacrificed to send her children to Adventist schools. She and daddy included every child around them as if they were their own. Her grandkids always loved to visit grandma and head to the lake, or the pools – indoor or out. She and papaw had perpetual Kool-Aid in the fridge, homemade biscuits, and grill cheese sandwiches for the grandkids. She spoiled them with love, treats, and fun activities. She loved all and had compassion on those who suffered life’s misfortunes.

In the final years of her life, she enjoyed wheelchair rides in the sunshine, being rocked in the recliner, and being in the middle of family activities. Just hearing the conversations around her brought enjoyment. Whenever music would begin, she always perked up and had a smile on her face. Hearing her family play their instruments and sing together found her tapping her foot along with the music even after she could no longer join in. She loved the hospice staff who provided care for her needs and made it possible for her last two and a half years to be at home. She was loved by them as well and her family is deeply grateful for their service.

She lived a generous, full, life and will be sorely missed! Memorial services will be held on November 5, 2022 at the Ooltewah Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 4:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the worthy student fund at the Ooltewah SDA church.

You are encouraged to share a memory of Eva and/or your personal condolences with her family by visiting her memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland is honored to assist her family with these arrangements.