Ollie Wooten

In Memory of

Ollie James Wooten

July 29, 1911 – January 2, 2015

Ollie James Wooten, 103, of Scottsville was born July 29, 1911, in Glasgow, KY and passed away January 2, 2015 at his home.  He was the eldest child of Mary Belle Foster Wooten and Eugene Anderson Wooten.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 77 years, Frances Elizabeth Knight Wooten, a brother, Robert Anderson Wooten, and two sisters, Anna Clotine Lee and Quintilla Fay Scaccia.

As a youth, he was very active in the Boy Scouts and earned the distinction of being the first Eagle Scout in Barren County.   At the time of his death, he was thought to be the oldest Eagle Scout in the country.   He professed Christ as his Savior and was baptized into the membership of Glasgow’s First Christian Church when a boy.

He had an incredible work ethic and had many jobs while growing up— water boy to highway crews, paper boy, soda jerk at George J. Ellis’ drug store, lifeguard and manager at Glasgow’s swimming pool…  He enjoyed adventure, and, with a friend, hitchhiked to New Orleans, then on to Florida, traveling both the east and west coasts.

He began his career in the insurance industry with the American Life Insurance Co.   He later worked for The Life and Casualty Insurance Co.  In 1945, he and his wife moved their family to Scottsville and established their own agency.  Because of his work ethic and skill as a salesman, the agency they began and developed is still a thriving business today.

Devotion to his family and service to his Lord and Savior were always at the center of his life.  He was a member of Scottville Baptist Church from 1945 until his death.  He served in many areas in the church including treasurer, Sunday School teacher for boys and later, at a nursing home. He was a deacon for 65 years.

He was scoutmaster of a Boy Scout troop for several years, and later, helped Scouts who were working on their Eagle rank, with particular badges.

He loved his community and couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to live any place other than Scottsville.  He gave himself tirelessly to many areas of community service.  In 1955, he was named chairman of a committee responsible for organizing a Scottsville Chamber of Commerce.  At its organization he served as secretary and continued in that position for a number of years.  He later served as president of the Chamber.  He played a key role in bringing new industry, particularly Scotscraft, to Scottsville.  In 1975 he was appointed to the Kentucky Development Council.  He served as county Easter Seal chairman for many years. He was a past member and past president of the Scottsville Rotary Club.

He had an insatiable appetite to learn new things; he taught himself about the oil business by reading trade journals and talking with those who could mentor him.  He learned to fly small planes and qualified to solo.   He was an avid photographer, making his first family movie in 1938.  He used photography to chronicle the history of his family, community and travels.  He found enjoyment in reading the newspaper, forever clipping articles that interested him with always a cartoon or two.

He and his wife were charter members of the SACRA Club (now Scottsville Country Club), the Allen County- Scottsville Arts Council, the Allen County Historical Society and the Scottsville YMCA.  They traveled extensively, always preferring the “blue” roads, exploring as they went.  They found joy and wonder in God’s creation wherever they went, but nowhere more than at their home. They enjoyed swimming and boating, and took great pleasure in teaching each of their grandchildren to water ski.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory two daughters; Linda McKinley (Doug), of Frankfort, KY, Martha Shook (Frank) of Scottsville; five grandchildren: Laura Hughes (Dan) of Frankfort, KY, Matthew W. McKinley (Samantha) of Louisville, KY, Elizabeth Buchanon (John) of Nashville, TN, Daniel W. Shook (Susie) of Brandenburg, KY, Susan Smith (Deron) of Lexington,KY; ten great-grandchildren:  Christopher and Bradley Hughes, Gunnar and Emma McKinley, Jackson and Caroline Buchanon, Clark and Virginia Smith and Benjamin and Sarah Shook.  Also remembering him fondly are the devoted caregivers who attended him so well when his health failed.

Visitation will begin at 12 Noon Sunday January 4, 2015 at the T. W. Crow and Son Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM Monday January 5, 2015 at the Scottsville Baptist Church with burial in the Crescent Hill Cemetery.

Memorial Donation may be made to the Scottsville Baptist Church or Gideon’s International.