Nina Dawson

In loving memory of Nina Scoville Dawson, who peacefully passed away at her home in Grove City, Ohio on May 24, 2023, just days before her 83rd birthday.
Nina was born on June 3, 1940, in Lexington, KY, to Cleta and Clarence Scoville. She graduated from Boca Ciega High School in Florida in the late 1950's and later pursued her passion for mortuary sciences at the University of Kentucky, where she completed her apprenticeship in 1960.
Known for her infectious sense of humor, Nina had a creative spirit and a talent for drawing. She pursued a part-time modeling career and even aspired to become an airline stewardess for United Airlines. Despite her height hindering her aspirations, her determination led her to fabricate her height to secure this position.
In the early 1960's, fate brought Nina and Charles S. Dawson together. Charles spotted a beautiful woman wearing a large onyx ring in a grocery store and inquired about her identity. Thankfully, the cashier had the answers, leading Charles to pursue Nina and they were married in 1962. They embarked on a journey together, sharing their lives across various cities including Monroe, LA, New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN and Columbus, OH. They were blessed with two children, Charles H. Dawson and Mary Leslie Dawson. Nina was a devoted and remarkable mother to her children.
In 1990, Nina crossed paths with Randall McFarland, and from that moment, they became inseparable. Their love for one another was unwavering, and they provided constant care and support until the end. They shared cherished moments together in Columbus, OH, Clearwater, FL, Tampa, FL, Sarasota, FL, and finally returning to Ohio for the remainder of her life.
Nina was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Scoville; stepmother, Edith Scoville; mother, Cleta Beal; stepfather, Quentin Beal; brother, Arthur Scoville; and brother, Chuck Scoville. She is survived by her devoted life partner of 33 years, Randall McFarland; his daughter, Sarah McFarland; her son, Charles Huff Dawson, and daughter-in-law, Brenda Mickey of Columbus, OH; her daughter, Mary Leslie Dawson, and her beloved grand-kitty Boris of Clearwater, FL; her granddaughter, Shelby Coddington; her sister, Sandra Webb, and husband Floyd; and her nieces and nephews: Buddy (Floyd IV) Webb, Ashley Webb Sheffield, Zachary Webb, Tyler Webb and his wife Sophie, Gregory Scoville, and Mark Scoville. She also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews who cherished her deeply.


Nina Jean Scoville was born June 3rd, 1940, to Clarence, and Cleta Scoville. Clarence like many American males soon found himself in uniform serving in Africa during WWII. Unfortunately, this union was another casualty suffered shortly after the war's end.
This led to Nina starting the first grade as a very rare child of a single working mother household, in the mid-1940's which was virtually unheard of during this era and gave her the ability to be a solitary soul the rest of her days. She was raised in the Baptist faith, and attended bible camp during the summers, where she was usually the reigning champ in bible drills, a competition in speed, remembrance of bible stories, and verse. This was the birth of her thirst for learning, and retaining information as she journeyed through life.
She also would spend time in the summer months visiting with her father, and stepmother. During this time, she would spend time taking art classes. Which is were
she found her love of drawing with charcoal, and pencil. A joy she maintained the rest of her days. Unfortunately, her relationship with her father became estranged during her teenage years, but she held on to the memories, and teachings formed during this time.
Nina began to blossom into a beautiful, intelligent young woman who graduated high school, and moved on to college studying, and serving an apprenticeship in the field of mortuary sciences. Something relatively unheard of near the end of the 1950's. She also dabbled with an occasional job as a fashion model in local advertisement during this time. Which led to her being selected as a "Long Stem Rose" riding the float in a parade in Jacksonville FL. The requirements for this were slim, trim, and tall. So, after nineteen years of wishing she was smaller her ship had finally come in.
This coincided with the reality of the fact that her chosen field of mortuary science, was not actually an open door for her gender. So, she peeled a couple of inches off her height, and joined the friendly faces at United Airlines as a stewardess by 1960. While she didn't exactly meet the height restrictions, she found that the girdle requirement did give her a place to attach her hosiery, as was the customs of the time. This was a short-lived career after she met and married Charles Seward Dawson in 1962, which was against company policy at that time. Just a year after her mother had remarried one Mr. Quinn Beal
Thus began her final career choice of being the C.O.O. in what would eventually become a family of four in the mid. 1960's. A job she had spent many hours preparing for during her informative years in home economics classes, that she thoroughly enjoyed, and served her well for decades to come. Because Nina had lost her sense of smell as a child, she did all her preparations by taste, and made her both an excellent cook, and baker. Although she would have no reservations about telling you she could not bake a pie to save her life. During this time, she reconnected with her father, and stepmother, and discovered they too had become a family of four with the addition of her brother Chuck, and sister Sandy.
In the latter half of her life, with her children grown, and her marriage dissolved, she was providing domestic services for a few lucky families, and occasionally catering special events for a fortunate few. Serving stuffed mushrooms, Swedish meatballs, and baby quiche that were to die for. She truly was a very giving person, who would give you the shirt off her back, and then apologize, because it did not match the color of your eyes.
I was very fortunate to share this time with her, not only because she loved me, but she taught me how to truly love, and care for someone, who became more important than life itself. My hope is that you too have been touched by her and will raise a glass as you exclaim "Damn Glad We Met, and Thanks for stopping by". And may you hear her shyly say "Don't be silly. I didn't do a thing." -REMc's

A Celebration of Life cocktail party will be held in honor of Nina's 84th birthday on June 3, 2024. Please reach out via call or text at 727-580-7777 for further details.
May the memories of Nina's vibrant spirit, love, and laughter bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.