WINTER HAVEN - Esther Alice Scrimshaw, 88, a servant of the Most High God, began her new life in the presence of Jesus her Savior on the morning of April 11, 2009.  Her passing was due to natural causes.        

She was born on the 25th of June, 1920 in Elmira, New York.  She and her sister, Florence, were raised by their grandparents on a farm in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania following the death of her mother, Ruth, due to complications from delivering Florence.  Nursing was Esther’s passion.  She cared for her grandfather, who died when she was 14.  She spent the year after graduating from Tioga High School caring for her grandmother, who died when she was 18.             She graduated as a registered nurse from the School of Nursing at Binghamton City Hospital, New York, in 1942.  During World War II, she worked at Binghamton City Hospital and Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York.  She served as a nurse at American University and Mount Alto V. A. Hospital, both in Washington, D.C. 1945 – 1948.  She was later a nurse at Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD from 1948 – 1952.  She continued to maintain her license until the 1970’s.  Esther and Paul recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.  She also served in many churches as a deacon’s wife.  She was a member at Antioch Baptist Church, Bartow.           

She is predeceased by her sister, Florence Denny, and her oldest son, Paul Jr.  She is survived by her husband, Captain Paul W. Scrimshaw, Sr. (USN, Ret.) and her son, David, as well as grandchildren Jonathan, Daniel and Rachel Scrimshaw.  She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.            

Arrangements are being made through Oak Ridge Funeral Care.