Bracey, VA – Susan Miller Skinner, 62, beloved wife of Gary Lee Skinner, Sr. was called home to be with the Lord on March 13, 2012 after a long illness. Susan was born Dec. 1, 1949 in Portsmouth, VA to the late Harold William Miller and Colleen Pringle Johnson. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in 1968. Susan was a long time resident of Crittenden, VA where she reared her family. She took great joy in supporting her son, Scott's athletic activities during his years in school by working with the booster clubs and making baked goods. During these years, she was known as the "Neighborhood mom" while also working at Maryview Hospital as an accounts payable clerk and at Bank of Virginia as a teller. Susan loved to hunt with her husband, Gary and her son and stepson, Scott and Lee, as a member of the Floyd Byrd Hunt Club. She and her husband moved permanently to their weekend getaway home at Tanglewood Shores in Bracey, VA in 1996.
She enjoyed fishing and boating on Lake Gaston with friends and family. She worked at Aubrey L. Clary Logging Co. in Gasburg, VA as an accounts payable clerk until 2002 and was an accounts payable clerk and inmate account clerk at Lawrenceville Correctional Center in Lawrenceville, VA until Dec. 2011 when her health began to decline. Susan was a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church in Blackridge, VA where she began a prayer shawl ministry providing hand crocheted blankets to those in need. She loved spending time with family and friends whether it be at church, an outdoor BBQ, over a good game of cards, the beach, or at her grandson, Devin's baseball games.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harold William Miller, her mother, Colleen Pringle Johnson Rhodes, her father-in-law, Earl B. Skinner and brother, John Rhodes.
Susan leaves to cherish her memories her husband of 44 years, son, David "Scott" Skinner and wife, Marlene of Carrsville, stepson, Gary "Lee" Skinner, Jr. and wife, Connie of Suffolk, stepdaughter, Stacey Degaraff and husband, Paul of Chesapeake, grandchildren, Richard, Matthew, Jordan, Brooklynne, Michelle, and Devin, mother-in-law, Grace M. Skinner of Suffolk, sisters, Tane M. Ramsey and husband, Harry and Jo Tee Drake and husband, Hank all of Windsor and brother, Joseph Tran Rhodes of Windsor.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Wright Funeral Home 206 W. 4th Ave. Franklin, VA with Pastor Michael Clifford officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A memorial service will also be held at Olive Branch Baptist Church in Blackridge, VA on March 25, 2012 at 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Olive Branch Baptist Church 5223 Blackridge Rd Blackridge, VA 23950. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.