Betty Joanna Skinner

Betty Joanna Brockman Skinner, 87, of Charleston, SC, widow of Frederick Evan Skinner, entered into eternal rest Friday, May 23, 2014, at her residence. Her relatives and friends are invited to attend her graveside funeral services Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at her residence following the service. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Mrs. Skinner was born July 8, 1926 in Greenville, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Murray LeRoy Brockman, Sr. and the late Gertrude Proffitt Brockman. Betty became a resident of Charleston at the age of 6 and later moved from the city to the Riverland Terrace neighborhood, where she spent the majority of her formative years. She was a graduate of Memminger High School and a 1947 graduate of the College of Charleston, where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. After Betty and Fred married, Fred's job with Burrough's Corporation took them to Savannah, GA and Mobile, AL until a final transfer returned them to Charleston. They built a house in Riverland Terrace around the corner from Betty's parents and Betty was able to help care for them in their elderly years. She had now come full circle to the neighborhood where she had grown up. Betty could be found most days working in her yard with her beloved maine-coon cat, Brooks, by her side. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and was an accomplished seamstress; making clothes, draperies, slip covers and decorative items for her family.

Betty was a member of the Riverland Terrace Garden Club and past member of the College of Charleston Alumni Association. She was a dedicated and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and her devoted cat, Brooks, who watched over her until the end. Betty exhibited much courage, strength and grace in facing the difficulties of her life, especially in her battles with cancer.

Mrs. Skinner is survived by her daughter, Susan Skinner Watkins and her husband, Buddy, of Charleston; her two granddaughters, Katherine Hope Watkins (Rhet Duncan) of Johns Island and Beth Watkins Collins (Franklin) of Moulton, TX; two great-grandchildren. Franklin Augustus "Gus" Collins and Annabelle Elizabeth Collins of Moulton, TX; two younger brothers, Murray LeRoy Brockman, Jr. of Charleston and David L. Brockman (Donna) of Phoenix, AZ; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to NHC Rehab/Nursing facility and to Embrace Hospice for their excellent care and to the loving and dedicated caregivers who tended to her everyday in her home: Donnetta, Marthiena, Brenda, Izetta, Jerrica, Schontal, Brandi and Cherrill.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society, 5900 Core Road, Suite 504, North Charleston, SC 29406 or to the Riverland Terrace Garden Club, 2139 Parkway Drive, Charleston, SC 29412.