Mary Skaggs
Shipman |
Mary "Virginia" Thomas Skaggs, 96, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on March 28, 2014, and was reunited with the love of her life, the late Charles A. Skaggs. She was born February 2, 1918, in the middle of a blizzard on a country farm in Yates, Missouri, the first child of Dewitt A. and Laura S. (Fray) Thomas.
Virginia graduated from Shipman Community High School, Class of 1935, and from Shurtleff College, Alton, IL. On May 19, 1939, she married Charles A. Skaggs, and they raised two sons. Her entire career was spent teaching school at Shipman Elementary, where she had a positive influence in the lives of the youth of Shipman. She was a long time member of the Shipman Methodist Church, and active in many church and community events. She was a fan of many sports, especially basketball. Her hobbies included; crocheting, cross stitch, sewing, crossword puzzles, word finds, and reading. She was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. It was not unusual for her to read up to three books a week. During her lifetime, she crocheted more than 100 afghans for family and friends. Virginia traveled extensively in the United States and Europe, either with family or to visit family. She was always ready to go for a ride and enjoyed eating out. She loved all things associated with family, and any excuse to get together with her loved ones who were always foremost in her heart. Virginia was the Matriarch of her family, and she will be forever present in their hearts and minds.
Virginia is survived by her sons: Charles "Tom" Skaggs and his wife, Mary of Stillwater, Maine and their children, Jeff, Jenny, Jori, Aaron, and Amy; Dennis M. Skaggs and his son Ryan, both of Springfield, Illinois; a sister, Anne Frazier and her husband Joe of Florissant, Missouri; sister-in-law, Phyllis Thomas of Estes Park, Colorado. She also is survived by nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son, her brothers Charles and Dewitt Jr. and a sister Jean Faries.
The family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Timberlake Supportive Living for their care and support over the past year, and the staff at Heritage Health for their care during he recent stay.
Visitation: Saturday April 5, 2014, 10-Noon at Targhetta & Wooldridge Funeral Home-Shipman . Funeral Service: Saturday April 5, 2014, Noon at Targhetta & Wooldridge Funeral Home-Shipman. Committal Services: Saturday April 5, 2014 at Shipman Cemetery
Memorial donations may be made to: Shipman Elementary Library Fund P O Box 229 Shipman, IL 62685
Anderson Family Funeral Home
