William Gilbert Scott was born September 20, 1918 to Lydia Martha (Gilbert) and Robert Lee Scott at their home in the Smith Bend area of rural Osceola, Missouri. He passed away peacefully in his home Sunday morning, April 1, 2012.
Gilbert was the youngest of seven children. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Erban Scott, RO (Orval) Scott, Lonnie Scott, Manuel Scott, Nellie Anderson and Edna Witham.
In 1934 Gilbert gave his heart to the Lord at the Mt. Olive Church of God (Holiness) in a revival service. He also gave his heart to a young lady attending the same service. Her name was Ellen W. Sweeney. They were united in marriage at the Scott family home on December 22, 1938.
Gilbert and Ellen owned and operated several businesses. They first worked together in their general store in Monegaw Springs, Missouri. Their next venture was a general store in Bentonville, Missouri afterwhich Gilbert always called Ellen his “Bentonville Girl”. They moved to a farm for a short time. A new opportunity arose for them to buy a business in Osceola in 1952, which was a farm implement, appliance and furniture store that was owned by Clyde Forrest. Gilbert and Ellen worked side by side for over 50 years in Scott Furniture Store. When poor health came and they needed help at the store, their daughter, Janie came. When Gilbert could no longer walk, he was taken to the store daily where he sat in a chair in his favorite spot to watch and talk to people. He was there two days before his passing. He was an Osceola business man for 60 years.
Gilbert loved making a business deal. He was an honest, hard working man all of his life. There wasn’t much money in his growing up years so he did what he could to make a living. He hunted, fished, farmed, traded and toiled. He learned early in life to be an excellent marksman because he did not want to be scolded for wasting ammunition. Gilbert loved the land, whether working the farm, hunting, fishing, or sightseeing. He travelled all of the United States with Ellen, many of those miles also with his nephew, Don Scott and family.
Some of Gilbert’s proudest moments were taking his family members on their first deer hunting expedition. If you didn’t obey the family rules, though you might not be included the next time. He loved to tell the stories about his grandchildren hitting their target. He, his brothers, and nephews spent many hours in the woods or on the river bank. His son-in-law, James, loved his time hunting and fishing with Gilbert.
Gilbert was a charter member of the Lowry City Church of God (Holiness), serving for many years as Sunday School superintendent. He loved the Lord and showed it by generously giving to building churches and helping many people.
If you visited Gilbert and Ellen, either at the store or home, you would be offered soda pop. At lunch time, he would be sure that you had something to eat. It was important to him. He was a good provider for his family.
Mourning the loss of their beloved father is Janie Scott Frost and her husband, Raymond, of Lowry City and JoAnn Bourland and her husband James of Clinton, Missouri. Also missing their wonderful granddad are Deborah and Randall Elrod, Stephanie and David Shannon, Chad Reasoner, Cammie and Mike Housh, and Andrea Bruck. Gilbert also has 13 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.
Gilbert had wonderful caregivers the last few years and they helped make it possible that he could stay at home. Thank you Robert, Tom, and Karen.
We will certainly miss our Dad and Granddad but our loss is heaven’s gain.
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