Holly Scott was born Holly Mae Simons on July 23, 1934 to Constinee and Christobell Chavis Simons (both deceased) on a small farm in Eastover, South Carolina.

I am the eldest of my parents’ 15 children. They include 11 sisters: Juanita S. Scott (deceased), Mary Lee S. Lindsey, Grace S. House (deceased), Levola S. Taylor, Barbara Ann S. Cook, Paulette S. Hipps, Catherine C. Reed, Carolyn Rhunette S. Williams, Deborah Faye S. Smith, Glenda S. Carter, and  Brenda S. Wider;  and three brothers: Constinee Simons, Jr. (deceased), Donald Jeffery Simons, and Curtis Jerome Simons (deceased).

My grandparents played a key role in helping to shape and mold me and my siblings. They were Gaddie Lee, who died when I was very young, and Lottie McBeth Simons, who lived to be 95 (my father's parents); and Preston, who died at a young age as a result of a dog bite, and Fannie Jefferson Chavis (my mother's parents).

Home and Church Life

My early childhood years were spent helping my parents take care of their farm and our home. My mom canned fruits and vegetables during the summer months. My siblings and I would help by washing the jars used for canning, peeling peaches and pears, as well as shelling peas and butter beans. We had a good life. It seems like our dad kept us busy to give us something to do.

My grandmother Lottie lived on the same road as we did, as well as several aunts, so we visited them often. Additionally, we visited and played games with our cousins and friends.

I was baptized and became a member of Antioch AME Zion Church, where I attended service every Sunday. I was a member of the Sunday School and secretary of my Sunday School class. I attended several Church Conferences at different churches during the summer.

Education

I attended the Cross Roads Elementary School, and I remember my siblings and me walking about three miles to school every day. Also, our dad would take us to school when it rained. He worked on the highway, so when it rained he could not work. When I began school, an apple was our lunch.

Additionally, I attended Webber High School in Eastover. I think there were 21 students in our class. I was valedictorian of my class. We enjoyed watching short movies on Fridays for a small fee of 10 cents.

As for college, I enrolled in the Nursing School at the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing in September 1952 and graduated in 1955. One of my vivid memories is the white students were addressed as “Miss” and they took their classes during the first hour. The black students were addressed as “nurse”. We had to take our classes during the second hour.

As for Post-Graduate Work, I took part in many In-service conferences and classes.

Professional Career

After graduating from Nursing School, I worked at the Columbia Hospital (now Prisma Health) in the Post Surgery and Supply area from 1955 to 1960. In 1960, I applied for a registered nurse position at the V.A. Hospital (now the Dorn V.A. Medical Center).  The Chief Nurse asked me why I wanted to work there. I told her that I would like to make more money. I was the second African American nurse to work at the V.A. Hospital. I began my tenure as a registered nurse at the V.A. Hospital on Nov. 28, 1960, and retired on Nov. 28, 1992, after working 32 years.

Marriage and Family

I met James “JC” Scott while he was waiting to visit his girlfriend in the Reception area of the student dormitory. I asked him about his brother who had been in the hospital. A few weeks later, he called me and asked would I like to go to a movie with him. Two years later, we got marry on March 20, 1955.

We were blessed with the four children:  Bernardine Scott Cobb, a retired Culinary Arts Instructor, married with four children; James Clarence Scott, a retired colonel, married with three children; Joycelyn Scott Gardner, married with two children; and Christie Scott Barton (deceased), who had three children.

 Community Life and St. John Baptist Church

Our family moved to our current neighborhood on December 16, 1955. Mrs. Goodwin, a resident in the neighborhood and a member of St. John Baptist Church, asked us to join St. John Baptist Church. I joined, but my husband remained at his home church in Eastover.

At St. John, I joined the Pauline Russell Missionary Circle and I have been an active member for many years.  Our Circle's membership faithfully collects non-perishable food each month as one of our community service projects.  I was selected to represent our Circle and deliver the items to the Harvest Hope Food Bank.

 I also was one of the first females to be appointed to the Trustee Board of St. John Baptist Church. I currently serve as the Vice Chair of the Board. 

As for my volunteer and community service involvement, I am a volunteer at the Free Medical Clinic on Harden Street. I started my volunteer service at the clinic in 1984, when it first opened and while I was still working as a nurse at the V.A. Hospital.  It is my passion to help those in need, so I do not consider volunteering as a job. As a matter of fact, I have not left the clinic, I still volunteer three hours on Mondays, unless I am out of town.

I was recognized as a “Community Builder” by the Michael J. Mungo Homes Foundation and WIS-TV for my volunteer service to the clinic in January 2020.  I appreciate Dr. Todd Crump, the director of the Free Medical Clinic, and the staff for nominating me for this recognition. The Foundation presented me with a check for $1,000 to be given to a charity of my choice. So, I donated the money to the Free Medical Clinic and to the Harvest Hope Food Bank.

I also serve as the Team Captain of the Palmetto Health (now Prisma Health) Breast Cancer Walk, which is one of the bright joys in my life. I have been involved since 1999 and it has been a true labor of love. 

Finally, I served as the Captain for the Souper Bowl Campaign for 10 years, collecting donations on Super Bowl Sunday. Those funds are given to charities that serve the less fortunate.

Encouraging Words/Favorite Bible Verses

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.