Elizabeth Ann 'Betty' Skinner

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Skinner, 75, passed away March 8, 2012. She was born Aug. 10, 1936, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Paula and Sara Amend. She married George Skinner in 1957, with whom she celebrated 54 years of marriage. Over 40 of those years were spent in Fayetteville, Ark. Betty worked for many years in the Fayetteville Public School system and retired in 2001 from the Fulbright Institute of International Relations, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She and George moved to Little Rock in 2008, and ultimately, settled at Presbyterian Village, where she lived until her death. With a zest for life, Betty opened her heart and home to many neighbors, friends and University students she considered part of her extended family. She was full of compassion and accepted everyone she encountered for who they were; and to Betty that meant worthy of much love. Many people held Betty as a trusted and dear friend and those friendships spanned decades. Holidays were celebrated with her "larger" family all gathered around her while she was atwirl in the kitchen baking, laughing and entertaining. She had a true gift for storytelling; careful to add just enough flair and embellishment to keep us all on the edge of our seats. Betty's presence brought laughter to so many. Her stories live on in the hearts of her children and grandchildren, who fondly remember her as the self-appointed "head broad" adorned in red lipstick, freshly painted nails and a sparkle in her eye. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her infant son, Steven Paul; her sister, Judith Marie Skorkowski; and daughter-in-law, Stephne Skinner. She is survived by her loving husband, George; her children, Sara Lenehan (David) of Little Rock, Anne Skinner of Fayetteville, Laura Cook (Ken) of Little Rock, Molly Fast of Roeland Park, Kan., and Richard Skinner of Fayetteville; her brother, Paul James Amend (Joan) of Kansas City, Mo.; her grandchildren, Emily Lenehan, John Lenehan, Michael Lenehan (Kaleigh), Meagan Lenehan, Caroline Cook, Andrew Hall, Sarah Catherine Cook, Veronica Fast; her great-grandchildren, Jayden Lenehan and Sophia Lenehan. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 2 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 3 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72212. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 1722 N. Starr Drive, Fayetteville, Ark. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville, Ark. Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Village Foundation, 510 Brookside Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205; Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 1722 N. Starr Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72701; or Alzheimer's Arkansas, 10411 W. Markham, Suite 130, Little Rock, AR 72205. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Debra Henry, the staff of Presbyterian Village Nursing Home and Arkansas Hospice for the excellent and compassionate care provided Betty during the last years of her life. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.