Sandra Sue Scott

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Sandra Sue Shrum Scott, aka "Sandy Sue from Kalamazoo," 74, of Marble Hill passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017.

Sandra was born July 9, 1942, the daughter of Philip Leo "P.L." Shrum and Marie A. Conrad Shrum.

Sandra attended Bollinger County schools and graduated in 1959 from Lutesville High School. She then attended the University of Missouri School of Nursing, where she met her future husband, Marc Scott. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1963, Sandra worked as a pediatric nurse, first at Boone County Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, and later in Portland, Oregon.

While in Oregon, Sandy's desire to serve others led her to apply for and be accepted to serve on the S.S. Hope. Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) was a hospital ship that sailed internationally providing needed medical services and training in foreign countries. However, near that time, she was faced with an alternative, namely marriage. She opted for marriage with Marc Scott in 1967 at Marble Hill. In keeping with Sandy's desire to "do good," she and Marc joined the Peace Corps and served in Ethiopia.

Tragically, Sandy's nursing career ended in Ethiopia by reason of a massive brain injury caused by a bicycle accident. Sandy's injuries were so severe, she lost her mobility and some of her cognitive abilities. Even so, the accident did not destroy her basic personality, and she continued to have a caring heart and a desire to encourage and help people with whom she had contact. Sandra spent 48 years in a nursing home, often in discomfort and physical pain, yet she rarely complained or was bitter. To the contrary, she always had a kind word for staff and other residents and constantly encouraged and assured them "God is with you" or said, "God bless you."

Sandra's family believes, and many others assert, that Sandy Scott helped more people with her positive attitude and encouraging comments during her disabled years than she could have helped had the accident never happened. In recognition of that fact, in 2014 the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing bestowed upon Sandy its Humanitarian Award, which was part of its annual awards to graduates and friends for their commitment to their profession of nursing, their accomplishment and their service. The Humanitarian Award was given to Sandy because of her ever-present upbeat attitude, her encouraging words to all, her gracious smile and her infectious laugh.

Sandy's survivors include her brother, Kenneth W. Shrum; multiple nephews, nieces, and their descendants; and many friends whose lives she has impacted over the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Kathleen Husk; and an infant sister.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Marble Hill United Methodist Church in Marble Hill. Burial will follow in Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery.