Frances Skinner
Frances L. Skinner, 90, died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, at her home in Peabody.
She had lived in or near Peabody for 64 years. She taught school at Peabody for 20 years, retiring in 1974. She also taught from 1935 to 1940, including several years in one-room schoolhouses (Prairie Center School southeast of Peabody and Hazel Dell in Harvey County) and Brainerd School in Butler County.
She was born March 28, 1915, on a farm near Coweta, Okla., to Frank and Ida Graves.
The family moved to Harvey County two years later, then to Whitewater in 1929, where she graduated from high school in 1932.
She was a graduate of Butler County Junior College and Emporia State Teacher's College.
She and Merle Skinner of Peabody were married June 6, 1943, at Whitewater. He died in 1994.
Frances loved spending time in her vegetable and flower gardens over the years, hosting family events, and being surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She traveled to 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. She rarely missed "Wheel of Fortune."
She was a member of Peabody United Methodist Church since 1941, and was a longtime member of United Methodist Women, Sorosis, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Retired Teachers Association.
She is survived by three children, Virginia Skinner, Peabody, Donna Nelson, Lindsborg, and Donald Skinner and wife Connie Strand, Leawood; five grandchildren and spouses, Jennifer and Chris Young, Peabody, Scott and Michelle Nelson, Lindsborg, Craig and Kara Nelson, Garden Plain, Darren nelson, Lawrenceville, Ga., and Paul Wiseman, Leawood. Her great-grandchildren are Mackenzie, Bryant, Philip, and Alexander Young, Peabody, Sophie and Drew Nelson, Lindsborg, and Lanie Nelson, Garden Plain. Other survivors are a sister, Lucy Davis, Wichita; and nieces and nephews.
A brother, Wilbur Graves and a nephew, Neil Herbert, died previously.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Peabody United Methodist Church.
Burial will be in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Peabody.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church, 403 North Sycamore, 66866. — Paid obituary
