Joy Skinner

Joy Faye Skinner, 87, passed away at Beebe Retirement Center in Beebe, Arkansas after a long journey with dementia on May 12, 2018. She was born in Bradley County, Arkansas on November 16, 1930 and was the only child of Morris Duncan “Bo” and Iona Lou (Strong) Murrell.

Faye graduated from Warren High School in 1949. She then moved to Little Rock to attend Capitol Business School. She met her husband, Virgil Carter Skinner, while she was living with Virgil’s sister Geraldine Cofield as a boarder during business school.  Geraldine called Virgil while he was working as a fireman on the railroad in Gurdon, AR and told him to come to Little Rock because she had found him a wife. Faye and Virgil married on June 8, 1951 in Little Rock and they were married 61 years when Virgil passed.  Virgil and Faye were partners in life and loved each other dearly. Their marriage was a faithful partnership full of love, laughter, care, and support for one another.

After graduating from business school, she worked as a bookkeeper for several businesses throughout her life including Dykes’ Lumber Company, El Dorado Coffee Company, Jackson Cookie Company, and Dillard’s Fine Jewelry. After retiring as a bookkeeper, she was a caregiver for her Mother, a caregiver for others with dementia, and finally she was a faithful caregiver to her husband.

Faye loved her family dearly and enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids. She was an excellent cook and no one ever left her home hungry or in need. Her door was always open and she loved to visit. She regularly kept in touch with family and friends. She loved working in her yard and had a green thumb for growing flowers, plants, and vegetables. She was a member of the Little Rock Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law Newton McNew and grandson Shane McNew. She is survived by her children, Janet Louise McNew of Sherwood, Charles Sidney Skinner (Kathy) of Lonoke and Sarah Jane Rhoads of Lonoke. Grandchildren, Melody Roachell (Shawn) of North Little Rock, Christie Ault (Sam) of Bryant, Heather Grant (Clifford III) of Birmingham, AL, Lindsey Miller (Randy) of Lonoke, Lydia Williams (Bo) of Lonoke, Carter Rhoads of Sherwood, Ginger Rhoads of Fayetteville and Jenna Rhoads of Lonoke. Nine great-grandkids Newton McNew, Accyllia Roachell, Hannah McNew, Clifford Grant IV, Olivia and Parker Ault, Reed Miller, Caine and Grant Williams.

The family wants to thank the nurses and staff at the Beebe Retirement Center. They cared for our mother and previously our grandmother, Iona Murrell, through their long journeys with dementia. A thank you to Arkansas Hospice for assisting in Mother’s care in the final weeks of her life. In lieu of flowers please donate to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be at Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke on Wednesday, May 16 from 5-7 pm with a graveside ceremony at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock Thursday, May 17 at 1pm.