| HIST |
Barbara Ann Scott
Barbara Ann Scott COLUMBIA - Barbara Ann Scott passed away on March 5, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Florence, S.C. on August 4, 1937 and moved to Columbia at a young age. She attended Columbia public schools, graduating from University High School and then attended the University of South Carolina. Her career began as a legal secretary for the law firm of Law and Kirkland, which later expanded to Kirkland, Aaron & Alley where she was office manager for almost 30 years. She was a founding member of the Columbia Legal Secretaries Association and served as Vice President and Treasurer of the South Carolina Legal Secretaries Association. She took the Professional Legal Secretary exam and passed on the first attempt. In 1974 she was elected to the Richland County School District One school board and served for eight years. She served as Chairman for three years. In 1984 she was elected Clerk of Court for Richland County and oversaw the installation of the computerized court system which greatly improved the day-to-day operations at the courthouse. She strived to make the child support payment system more efficient in order to improve the lives of children of single parents in Richland County. She served as Vice President and President of the South Carolina Association of Clerks of Court and Registers of Deeds. She worked as Legislative Chairman in areas covering the court system. She also served on the board of South Carolina Association of Counties and as S.C. representative on the board of National Association of Counties. She loved her work and made running one of the largest Court systems in the state look easy. Her colleagues and coworkers were like a second family and she looked forward to working with them each day. Well-known for her quick wit and no-nonsense demeanor, Barbara was a natural leader - strong, decisive, entertaining, and able to make those around her feel at ease. She was a practical problem-solver who faced challenges head-on with tenacity and a sense of humor. In the world of politics she was a rare gem of common sense and straight answers. In 2008 she was again elected to the Richland County School District One school board and re-elected in 2012. She believed strongly in the cause of free, equal, and exemplary public education for every child in South Carolina. Barbara worked hard her entire life but also made time to relax and have fun with her many friends and family. She was an avid Carolina Gamecock football fan and spent many Saturday afternoons tailgating at Williams Brice Stadium or travelling to away games with the Wayward Bus Crew. She hosted countless weekend get-togethers at her pool with her children and grandchildren cooking, swimming, listening to music, and playing cards on the poolside deck. She never missed an opportunity to shag if beach music played on the radio. She was predeceased by a brother, Lindsay D. Robinson, Jr., brothers-in-law, Larry Stepp and Larry Abbott, sons-in-law, Michael S. Kelly and James Grady Leach III. She is survived by her husband, Paul H. Pickens; sisters Pat Brown (Bob) of Jacksonville, FL, Beverly Stepp of Hendersonville, NC, Wendy Abbot of Tarpon Springs, FL; children Tracie Mefford (Craig) of Fort Motte, April Cardwell (Marc) of West Columbia, Melodie Scott-Leach of Columbia, and Tiffanie Kelly Zigdon (Toni) of Cayce; grandchildren, Lindsay Hamrick (Josh), Joni Alston (Clarence), Chloe, Hannah and Zachary Cardwell, Noah and Rowan Leach, Hazel and Violet Kelly. She will be greatly missed by all of us. A remembrance service will be held 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2013 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel followed by a reception in celebration of her life at The Big Apple, 1000 Hampton Street at 5:30. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Barbara's name to Zonta Club of Columbia Foundation, c/o Deborah Cornelison, 1102 Bryan Street, Columbia SC 29201 or the Susan G. Komen for the Cure , 5005 LBJ Freeway ATTN: Gift Management Service, Suite 250, Dallas TX 75244-6125. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
Published in The State on March 8, 2013 [2] |
1937 - 2013 (75 years)
