Funeral for McKinney “Baby Love” Gillespie Graham Skelton, 77, of Hartselle will be Monday, March 2, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Home with Father Ray Remke and Sister Teresa Walsh officiating. Burial will be in Morris Chapel Cemetery in Lawrence County. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mrs. Skelton died Friday, February 27, 2015. She was born September 18, 1937, in Lawrence County to Samuel Samson Gillespie and Mary Esther Gillespie. Time well spent… that is one thing you can say about McKinney’s life. From hard work in the garden, to a calm ocean view, to walking, and picking up glass or shells, she never lost or wasted a second. She loved the beauty of our planet and all its wonders. To walk into her house was to smell something wonderful cooking – even before seeing her. She was always so very happy to have company. To have known McKinney was to know a ball of energy. She was constantly moving and doing. She was a member of Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Connie Geraldine Graham; first husband, Gerald Donald Graham; and brother, George Thomas Gillespie.
Survivors include her husband, Major Edwin H. Skelton; two sons, Matt Graham (Kathy) and Thomas Graham (Nena); two daughters, Susan Steenson (William) and Kitty Brewer; stepson, Eddie Skelton; stepdaughter, Angela Wynn (Joseph); grandchildren, Adam Brewer (Rebekah), Joseph Brewer (Felicia), Serena Curtis (Greg) and Chase Steenson; stepgrandchildren, Alison Skelton, Riley Wynn (Hannah), Logan Wynn and Caroline Skelton; great-grandchildren, Abby Grace Brewer, Allie Brewer, Andrew Curtis, Drennon Curtis, Alanna Curtis and Chloe Brewer; brothers, Marvin Gillespie, Charles Gillespie and Dr. Nick Gillespie; and sister, Pamela Moses.
Pallbearers will be Adam Brewer, Joseph Brewer, Greg Curtis, Mark Porter, Logan Wynn and Greg Letson.
The Cherokee have a saying, “As long as a person’s name is spoken, they are with you.” Say McKinney’s name often, and smile when you do.
“A ni yun wi yah”
