Myra Jane Skinner's Obituary
On Saturday, February 3rd, Myra Jane Skinner née Fortner passed away at the age of 77 at Aldersgate in Charlotte NC. The daughter of Roy and Alta Fortner, she graduated from Western Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in English and went on to teach at a segregated grade school in South Carolina.
Myra loved being a grandmother. She enjoyed working in the yard, singing in the choir, reading, dancing, and loved all animals – except maybe birds. She was a long-time member of the Davidson United Methodist choir even traveling to the United Kingdom to sing in a series of concerts.
She was an open, kind woman who loved to laugh, but she was also a force to be reckoned with, especially if she felt someone was being wronged. She especially loved teaching and mentoring any young woman she encountered. Her coworkers often commented that she was like a second mother to them.
Myra grew up in Huntersville North Carolina and loved giving back to the community. In 1978 she began working at the Huntersville Town Hall as an administrative assistant, then after leaving the position she served the town on the Livability, Magla Mill, and Citizens Advisory boards before being appointed to the Planning & Zoning Board from 1988 to 1991. Myra was then elected as a Commissioner to the Town Board serving two terms from 1991 to 1995.
She loved the mountains and retired to the Boone area after working for many years at First Union, Wachovia, and Wells Fargo. After retirement, Myra spent her time remodeling her mountain house, “Saving Grace”, walking the mountains with her friends, and enjoying her family. She once declared war on a mountain rat who had the audacity to climb up into the engine of her beloved RAV4 and eat all the wiring.
Preceded in death by Ron Laub, her companion of 13 years, she is survived by her former husband Buddy Skinner and beloved sons, Jonas Skinner (Melissa) of Lovettsville, Virginia, Drew Skinner (Melanie) of Gastonia, North Carolina, and two grandchildren Kara Saunders (Kyle) of Mooresville, North Carolina, and Jacob Skinner of Lovettsville, Virginia.
A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 2:00 PM at James Funeral Home Chapel.
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