Vanda Lee Scott

Dr. Vanda Lee Scott, age 68, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away on August 9, 2024, after a brave battle with stomach cancer. Vanda was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on February 24, 1956. She graduated from West End Christian High School. She later attended the Capstone College of Nursing where she received her BSN, then received a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from UAB and lastly earned a Doctorate from University of Alabama. 

Vanda served on the Board of Visitors at the Capstone College of Nursing and Pellissippi State. Growing up, she enjoyed playing at Yellow Creek, then later, on Norris Lake in East Tennessee. She followed the Crimson Tide with a passion and was a member of the A-Club, National Alumni Assoc. and the local East TN Chapter. In high school, sports became important to Vanda, and she played basketball and ran track. At the UA, she was on the water ski team and lettered in track. Vanda began working in the healthcare field as a nurse at DCH in Tuscaloosa. After moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, she enjoyed working at Covenant Health, then Select Medical in administration until her retirement in 2015. She served as a Governor for the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and served on the ETUA Scholarship Committee for many years.

Vanda enjoyed creating stained glass artwork, flying airplanes, riding motorcycles and 4-wheelers, crocheting and weekly games of MahJong. She also enjoyed playing at the swamp and fishing with her dad. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa. She worked hard, played hard and enjoyed laughing with friends and family. Her quiet time in nature was also very special to her. Vanda felt very blessed by God’s many gifts and thought there was no higher calling for her than saving lives as a nurse. While promoted many times over the course of her life, she prayed that this “final promotion” didn’t cause the Peter Principle to kick in.

Vanda was preceded in death by her mother, June Friday Scott; grandparents, Earnest and Alma Friday and Vannie and Lee Scott Sr. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth R. Simpson; father, Lee Scott Jr.; sister, Ann Scott (Steve) Marinello; nephew, Nicholas Marinello; niece, Elena Marinello; stepdaughters, Julie Simpson and Wendy (David) Dunford; and grandchildren, Caleb and Skyler Dunford.

The family will receive friends on Monday, August 12, 2024, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, at Mynatt Funeral Home, Halls Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 6:00 pm, with Reverend Dr. Pat Polis officiating.

On August 30, 2024, a receiving of friends will be held at First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL, from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Following the service, a Celebration of Life Service will be held in the courtyard, with Reverend Dr. Ken Dunivant to officiate.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to either of the following funds: The Dr. Vanda L. Scott Alumni Endowed Nursing Scholarship, which was just established by the East TN Alumni Chapter in memory of Vanda. Make checks payable to “Alumni Fund” and mail to National Alumni Association, The University of Alabama, Attn: Scholarship Department, PO Box 861928, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486. (Please note on the memo line “Vanda Scott Scholarship”) or a memorial to The University of TN Medical Center Hospice Services, 4435 Valley View Dr., Suite 104, Knoxville, TN 37917. (Please note on the memo line, In Memory of Dr. Vanda Scott).

 Online condolences may be expressed at www.mynattfh.com.