MECHANICSVILLE — Charles Albert Skinner, a retired educator, died on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at the age of 95. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Covenant Woods Retirement Community, Mechanicsville.

He was born Nov. 25, 1923 to Charles Palin and Mamie Goodwin Skinner. In 1959, he married the love of his life, Marian Carlton. They shared 47 years of love and happiness before her death in 2006.

Charles loved his family very much. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Tempie S. Moody, Beatrice S. Underwood, Viola S. Edwards; and his brother, Roy Elton Skinner. He is survived by sisters-in-law, Marjorie Goode Price and her husband, Lindy Price, and Doris Carleton Metz and her husband, Tom Metz; and many nieces and nephews whom adored him.

Charles received his associate of arts degree from Ferrum Junior College. He continued his undergraduate work at Randolph Macon College and received his Bachelors of Science degree in secondary education from Longwood College. He worked under a grant for one summer at Duke University and received his Masters in Education Degree in both elementary and secondary school administration from the College of William and Mary. His postgraduate work included the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary.

He retired from the Hampton City Public Schools in 1983 after 35 years of service. Charles began his teaching career at Montpelier High School and Matthews High School. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Newport News.

In 1960, Charles, with the support and encouragement of his beloved wife, became a member of the Alumni Board of Directors for Ferrum College. He served on this board until his death. He and Marian were instrumental in establishing the Tiderwater/Greater Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter as well as the Ferrum College Greater Hampton Roads Scholarship.

In 1989, Charles received the Ferrum College Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his service to education in general and specifically to that institution. In addition, he and Marian received an exceptional award of appreciation from the classes of 1944-1949. Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis, ’49, Ferrum College established the Charles and Marian Skinner Award for Excellence in Education.

The Ferrum College Board of Trustees in 1993 selected and named Charles the recipient of Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion; the highest Alumni Award, founded on the Ferrum College motto, “Not Self, But Others.”

In May 2002, Charles received a Resolution of Appreciation from Ferrum College to acknowledge him for being the driving force behind the effort of create the endowment for Boone Honors Program. He raised more than $175, 000 to establish this fund. This was quite an accomplishment for someone to achieve without the aid of a computer or any other high tech equipment, and he made sure everyone was personally thanked by a handwritten note.

Charles never felt any donation was too small. Because of Charles’ love and dedication to Ferrum, his family suggests that donations may be made to Tidewater/Greater Hampton Roads Scholarship Fund or the Boone Honors Program Endowment Fund at Ferrum College, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum VA 24088-9000 in his memory.

Graveside services will be held at St. Luke’s Memorial Park, Smithfield, Virginia on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2 p.m. His great nephew, Joseph Garland Whitley, will officiate the service. 

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, Virginia is in of arrangements.

“Precious, I love you.”