John William Skipworth, age 88, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, at his home in Center Star. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a faithful member of the Center Star Church of Christ where he served as a deacon for many years. He was a retired ironworker, a member of Ironworkers Local 477, and an Army veteran serving in the Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. He was a musician, amateur genealogist, and local historian.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ethel Richardson Skipworth; his brothers, Mancel and Glen Skipworth; and his great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Glory Savage.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mavoline Burchell Skipworth, and four children, Rose Pettus (Danny), Joy Fowler (Ron), John Skipworth (Donna), and Bill Skipworth (Denise). His grandchildren are Jonathan Pettus (Betsi), Will Pettus (Ellie), Ben Smith (Angela), Rebekah Savage (Thom), Abby Skipworth, and Anna and Nathan Skipworth. Great-grandchildren are Xander and Connor Pettus, Ada and Hank Pettus, Hannah and Mary Hope Savage, Tucker Smith, and Kaylee Skipworth.
Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Spry-Williams Funeral Home of Florence. The service will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Danny Pettus and Bill Lyons officiating, and interment will follow at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Jonathan and Will Pettus, Ben Smith, Thom Savage, Larry Skipworth, and Douglas Burchell. Honorary pallbearers are Nick Woods, Tyler Stewart, and Steve Grieder.
The family would like to thank Dr. Steve Wampler, Sandra Wesson, and the staff of Southern care Hospice, Tannie Johnson, Steve Grieder, and Helen Thigpen for the wonderful care, help, and support they have given our family.
You may sign the guest register atĀ sprywilliams.com.
