Darlene Scott Gay

Darlene Scott Gay, 87, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, April 29, 2021.

Darlene was born September 5, 1933 in McCool Junction, Nebraska, a daughter of the late Earl Tassel Scott and Cecelia Brown Scott. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph E. Gay, four brothers and two sisters.

Darlene was an angel among us. She was gentle, kind, thoughtful and wise. She was always more interested in you than talking about herself. Her faith in Jesus Christ guided her as she devoted her life to her family; to her service and care of others; and to becoming the person touched and loved by so many.

Darlene was an astute bookkeeper, smart, hardworking and determined. She met the love of her life, Joe, during her service in the U.S. Marine Corps. She decided if she were to marry, Joe was the one for her. After her military service was completed he asked for her hand and she returned to Hawaii where they married in 1957. The newlyweds settled in eastern North Carolina and together started and raised their family; worked; owned and operated restaurants and other businesses in the region; and lived out their lives.

Darlene is survived by her three daughters, Darlotte Justice (Nancy Petersen) of Portland, OR; Mona Renay Morgan (Johnny) of Sneads Ferry, NC; and Charlene Harvey of Beaverton, OR; five grandchildren, Rachel Howell; Shannon Howell (Nathan Frazier); Cecelia Cole (Dillon); Daniel Harvey and Nickolas Harvey; four great-grandchildren; brother, Larry Scott (Cynthia) of San Diego, CA; sister, Rosalie Padgett (Jack) of Cottageville, SC; sister (in-law) Mary Thornton of Winterville, NC; many nieces, nephews, close relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Andrews Hampstead Chapel. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour. Interment with military honors will follow in Sea Lawn Memorial Park.

The family extends their gratitude to Lower Cape Fear Senior LifeCare staff for the compassionate care they provided Darlene at the close of her life’s journey.

Flowers are welcome. Or, memorial contributions in Darlene’s honor may be made by mail to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or online https://sampur.se/3b157LQ or to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physician’s Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401, or online at http://lifecare.org/donate.

Share online condolences with the family, here, in the guestbook.