Violet Walters Skinner

Violet Finney Walters Skinner went home to be with the Lord on March 2, 2015. She is survived by her husband, Charles Brightman Skinner. They have four children and ten grandchildren: Susan Skinner Thomas (Lanny) of Jacksonville, Florida and their children Page Skinner Thomas and Brightman Samuel Thomas; Patty Skinner Campbell (Doug) of Highlands, NC and their twins Jessica Skinner Campbell and Matthew Ward Campbell; Charles Brightman Skinner, Jr. (Randie) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and their children Charles Brightman Skinner III, Wesley Read Skinner, and Caroline Grace Skinner; Randall Thomas Skinner (Tracy) of Jacksonville, Florida and their children Randall Thomas Skinner, Jr., William Keehn Skinner, and Anna Marie Skinner.

Born on March 28, 1927 in Jacksonville, Florida, she attended West Riverside Grammar School. She and her parents, George Leonard (Bill) Walters and Violet Finney Walters moved from Avondale to Southside where Violet attended Landon High School and graduated in 1945. She was a Lionette, served on the Student Council, and was president of the Glee Club. Violet attended Florida State University where she received her B.A. in Education in 1949. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, was on the dance team for four years, served on May Court and Sophomore Council, and was active in many organizations. In 1949, she wed the love of her life, Brightman, to whom she would be married for 65 years. They were active members of Southside United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Stewards. Violet taught Sunday School, Bible School, and was a member of the Heritage Sunday School class. She also held several offices in the PTA at San Jose Elementary School and helped with the Pine Castle School for many years. The Skinners have vacationed in North Carolina since the early 1960s and built a home in Cashiers in 1989. Violet enjoyed spending time in the mountains and playing tennis and bridge at the Cedar Creek Racquet Club. They are also members of the San Jose Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida, and the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. Because of her love of flowers, she was the president of the Hibiscus Garden Circle and an honorary member of the Garden Club of Jacksonville. She was a member of the National Society of Arts and Letters, honorary member of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, and served on the boards of the YWCA, the Bolles Mother’s Club, the former Civic Music Association, and the Friday Musicale. Violet was an avid tennis player for 15 years and often attended exercise classes and book club meetings at the San Jose Country Club. She had a deep love of music and could often be heard tap dancing down the hall. Violet, known to her grandchildren as “Gigi,” was devoted to her family and drew strength from her faith in God. She was adored by her many friends and will be remembered for her humor, charm, intellect, and vivaciousness. Her legacy of faith, family, and service endures in the lives of all she touched. Violet was greatly blessed by her loving caregivers: Tammie McClain, Linda Denton, Kathryn Bullock, Jan Spooner, Emily Rodems, Donna Freyberg, Leah Petrohovich, and Angela Padgett.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 7th at the Southside United Methodist Church, 3120 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, Florida 32207. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.