Neal-Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home
news@clarksvillenow.com
Ruth Biter Skinner, age 88, passed away Sunday morning, September 21, 2014, following a lengthy illness.
Ruth was born August 27, 1926, in the Louise Community in Montgomery County to the late Barney Biter and Dorothy Kennedy Biter.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Lindsey Paton Skinner, one son, Benny Frank Skinner (Sylvia), and one granddaughter, Rachael Lindsay Skinner, Cunningham; sisters Christine Sheppard and Jo Ann Chadwick (Frank), Cunningham; nieces Pamela Wood (Steve), Brentwood, and Barbara Skinner Myers, Clarksville; nephews Todd Byard and Chris Byard, Cunningham, Ricky Skinner (Debbie), Indian Mound, Timothy R. Skinner, Clarksville, and Phillip A. Skinner, Newnan, GA.
Ruth was a graduate of Montgomery Central High School and was employed at B. F. Goodrich Rubber Company, Montgomery Ward, and Crow’s Jewelry as a jewelry engraver and bookkeeper. She and Lindsey opened Skinner’s TV & Appliance in 1958 where she worked daily keeping books and answering the phone for more than fifty years, and at the same time enjoyed her life as a homemaker. She cooked breakfast and lunch every weekday for Lindsey and Benny, then spent her afternoons with them at the store.
Ruth was truly a lady who never forgot her country roots. She spent every opportunity she had with her parents before their passing. Her greatest love was for her family. She loved flying or driving to family vacation destinations across the United States and in other countries. Her restaurant favorites were fried oysters, chicken tenders, and French onion soup and she loved to snack on chocolate. Ruth was known for always wearing fashionable clothing, flashy jewelry, and high-heel shoes. She had an admiration for dogs, especially boxers (there was always one by her side at the store).
Ruth was a long-time active member of Madison Street Church of Christ, now known as the Church of Christ at Trenton Crossing. Although she wasn’t able to worship at the new church building, her heart was there every Sunday. Lindsey and Benny send a special thank you to the members for their cards, visits, prayers, and words of encouragement during her stays in the hospital, rehab center, and at home.
Words cannot express the depth of gratitude from the entire Skinner family to Ruth’s caregivers, Cynthia Mosley, LaQuis Williams, Terri Pope, Sandra Underwood, Ruth Farmer, Margaret Williams, Ann Cotton, and Tina Mackens for their devotion to her care and comfort.
Pallbearers will be Frank Chadwick, Tim Skinner, Steve Wood, Walter Daniel, Bobby Darden, Ricky Cooksey, and Bill Shepler.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Baldwin, Blakey Bradley, Harold Galbraith, J.C. Parks, George Rawlins, Forest Suddeath, Ricky Skinner, and Dr. Harold Vann.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Chapel with Brother Geoffrey Sikes officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2014 and from 11:30 a.m. until the hour of service on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the funeral home.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.
Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.