Timothy Lavelle Skillern

Funeral service for Timothy L. Skillern, 97, of Woden will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Barry Rankin officiating.  Interment will follow at Simpson Campground Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 2-3pm on Saturday, prior to the service.

Timothy spent his entire life preparing to meet his Savior and on Tuesday, October 3, with his children at his side, he exchanged his earthly body for his heavenly reward.

Timothy was born the youngest of six children, to parents, James Augustus and Ernie Belle Skillern.  Growing up on a farm, he learned from a very young age the necessity of hard work and the value of industry. As a young child, he was gifted a pig from which he built a herd. By the time he was thirteen, he had saved enough money from the raising and selling of his animals that he was able to buy a wagon and a team of mules.  This simple, responsible act would establish the foundation of a lifetime work ethic. 

As a very young man, Timothy set his sights on an old childhood friend, Jimmie Katherine Skillern, née Perkins.  Timothy was immediately and unwaveringly smitten.  Timothy and Jimmie began their married lives together on March 3, 1951.  They worked hard, side by side, and raised their two children, teaching them strong values and the fundamentals of life for them to be well-respected, God-fearing adults.  When Timothy and Jimmie were later blessed to become grandparents, he would beam with pride when called ‘Papaw’ and ‘Peepaw’. Married for sixty-eight years, he and Jimmie were parted only when she passed in 2019.

As mentioned, Timothy was a hard worker.  He was a successful cabinet shop owner and an exceptional carpenter, eventually expanding into building houses around the community.  He never took time off because working meant he was providing for his family.  He taught by example and his life was an illustration that his children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren, admired.  His teachings included things they all have engraved in their minds such as “never be late for anything”, “look people in the eye” and “always give a firm handshake”.   He was a simple, humble man of integrity who often helped those who needed it, expecting nothing in return.  He was a member of Woden United Pentecostal Church and past board member of the Nacogdoches Appraisal District, Woden Water Board and Woden School Board.  He was also a Master Mason and lifetime member of Milam Masonic Lodge #2 AF & AM.   

Timothy is survived by his children, William “Bill” Skillern (Sissy) and Karene Smithhart (Robert); grandchildren, Amanda Skillern, Timothy Skillern (Macee), Tyler Skillern, Robert T. Smithhart (Elizabeth), Jason Smithhart (Jamie) and Jonathan Smithhart (Amanda); great grandchildren, James, Katherine, Savannah, Gus, Chase, Lizzie, Robbie, Emma, Madelyn, Evan, Adelaide, Weston, Annika, Callum and Orion.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his precious wife, Jimmie; siblings, Doris Rutan, Kenneth Skillern, Estherine Culbreath, Sybil Mott and Ellis Skillern; and great grandson, Benjamin Smithhart. 

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