Estelle McClure Scott

Estelle McClure Scott, or ‘Smilin’ Ert’ as she was affectionately known, died peacefully on Sunday, February 14th, 2021. She was the adored mother and mother-in-law of Kelly Scott Wolff, Charlie Wolff, Edwin Robinson Scott III (Duke), and Ashley Willcott Scott. Her grandchildren, who called her The Nana, are Taylor Estelle Molinari, Edwin (Win) Robinson Scott IV, Austin Robert Scott, and Kathryn (Katie) Taylor Scott. She will be remembered for her love of family, friends, faith, parties, singing, and tennis. She had a zest for life and was always ready for an adventure.

There are so many wonderful stories about her life, it’s impossible to tell them all in one sitting. She was in the first graduating class of dental hygienists at the University of North Carolina, a career so new and in-demand that her starting salary rivaled that of lawyers. She bought her daddy a Cadillac within the first year of graduation, and he drove it with pride until he died. When she was twenty-five, she married Edwin Robinson Scott, Jr., and they had a loving marriage until he passed away in 2008.

As many people have shared when they learned of her passing, she was truly ‘one-in-a-million’,’unique’, and ‘like no one else’. As her daughter writing this memorial, I would have to agree. There was no mother more fun, no wife more loving, and no friend more devoted than Estelle. To know her was to love her. She always had a big, beautiful smile and a kind word for everyone she met. Her chili parties, homemade lasagna, and freshly baked brownies were legendary, and she entertained all with unending joy. She was also a fierce competitor who loved tennis almost as much as she loved her family! She took it up in her forties and hoped to get good enough to win ONE trophy; by the time she had to put her racquet down for good, many, many trophies lined the shelves of her bookcases. Her family loved to tease that she was the sweetest woman on earth, until a trophy was at stake -- then, all bets were off!

Unfortunately, she developed dementia in her later years which dimmed her bright light and shining personality, but through it all, she still had her grace, pure heart, and excellent manners. Her family could never walk into her care facilities without someone -- a resident, a resident's family, or the caregivers themselves -- telling them how much they loved Estelle and how she always had a smile or a song for them. She always loved to sing and continued to hum her favorite songs even when she was unable to speak later in life. One nurse claimed that in all of her years of caring for patients, she never had one who continued to express her thankfulness and gratitude like Estelle. In a world where ‘nobody is perfect’ and ‘you don’t get everything’, all of us who knew Estelle Scott would respectfully disagree. She was the embodiment of perfection and, as her children and friends, she gave us everything. She was an angel on Earth for her 83 years, and now the angels themselves are lucky to have her back with them. We will all miss her forever.

Her remains will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Ed, in Belmont, North Carolina once the weather warms and we can be outside together. No service is planned at this time, so for those who know and love her, please raise a glass, eat lasagna, or have a brownie while sharing your favorite memories of her with the ones you love. She would love that!

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta in her memory. She was a long-time member and the very first registrar of their private school. Thank you.