Memorial Services for Mrs. Jessie Skinner
Visitation for Mrs. Jessie Skinner
Monday, June 3, 2019, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Taylor Funeral Home, 63 E. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60619
Services for Mrs. Jessie Skinner
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
First United Methodist Church of Chicago At The Chicago Temple (Corner of Clark & Washington)
77 W. Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Discounted Parking at WMW Self- Park Garage, 179 W. Washington. Enter garage on Washington, Wells or Madison.
Wake & Visitation – 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Funeral Service – 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Interment – Oak Woods Cemetery, 1035 E. 67th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637
Repast following graveside service – Pearl’s Place, 3901 South Michigan, Chicago, Illinois 60653
Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Jessie Blakley Skinner
September 14, 1919 – May 25, 2019
Jessie Blakley was born in Quitman, Mississippi, the sixth of seven children. Her family moved to Chicago, Illinois when Jessie was three years old. She and her younger siblings lived with older family members and had to move around quite often. She graduated from Englewood High School and attended Lydia’s School of Beauty Culture where she became a licensed beautician. She met the love of life, Roy S. Skinner Sr. In 1941, they married in the parlor of the church parsonage and their 49-year union produced five children: Carl Vincent, Roy Stanford Jr., Michael Lamont, Stephen Duprez and Judy Honora. Her husband, Carl, Roy Jr. and Stephen all preceded her in death.
Her work as a beautician allowed her to be at home, caring for her children. With the hopes of home ownership, a better life for her family and to help with expenses, she passed the Civil Service Exam and worked at the U.S. Post Office. The higher income meant that she and her sister Lola’s family were able to move from public housing and live together in a nice two-flat on the South Side of Chicago. After 23 years of service at the Post Office, she retired early to take care of her husband and ailing siblings until their deaths.
Above all else, Jessie loved the Lord. She was always grateful for neighbors who would take her with them to Sunday School when she was little, and she remained active in the church, until failing health no longer allowed her to participate. She made sure that each family member attended Sunday services regularly and took part in programs and services. From Council chairperson to United Methodist Women, to Sunday School teacher, you always saw her working tirelessly in multiple areas of the church. Wherever there was a need, Jessie was there, and she was a proud United Methodist for almost 60 years.
In her later years, her son Michael became her primary caretaker when he retired. Michael and Judy moved their mom into assisted living in June 2018 where she was affectionately referred to as “99”. She had a wonderful birthday celebration that was shared with the residents and the family was looking forward to her 100th birthday this coming September, when her new nickname was going to be “C Note”.
Her wealth of knowledge and recall of history was amazing, even as she aged. She always shared stories and could give you details from decades ago. Many people thought that teaching was her profession. Jessie was a very humble individual, who didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. She didn’t want to bother the CNAs at her assisted living facility for occasional help, but all the staff and residents greatly admired her and are heartbroken as well. She often said she just asked the Lord to let her live long enough to raise her children and never thought she would outlive any of them.
Jessie was a wonderful, caring, gentle, generous person who was loved and adored by many. She leaves to mourn her passing her son and daughter, Michael and Judy; her grandchildren, Carl Jr. (Rachel), David (Rhonda), Linda (Emmanuel), Stephen Jr., Kier (Michael) and Roy III; and her great-grandchildren, Khalia, Brayden, Lyric, Tru, Xavier, Nyla and Karon. She also leaves daughters-in-laws, Mary, Khadijah, Justine and Pat, great nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends and acquaintances.
She missed her family members and close friends that went on before her and has been anxious to join them again. She always said, “This world is not my home”. She’s in her new home now and heaven has a new angel, Mrs. Jessie Blakley Skinner.