Etta Boehms Skelley finished her life on September 7, 2017 at Bay Lakes Assisted Living, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Etta, 97, was born August 28, 1920 in Leatherwood Community in Hickman County, Tennessee. Her parents, the late Kinzer N. Boehms and Nora Blanche Woody Boehms. Her mother passed away when Etta was 16. She was the oldest child of seven. Etta taught elementary in a one room school for two years in Hickman County before moving to Portsmouth, Virginia with other relativities to aid in the World War II efforts. It was at this time where she met her husband of 54 years, Willard R. Skelley, Jr. U.S. Navy retired.
Left to cherish Etta’s memory are brother, Doug Boehms; her three children, Willard Richard Skelley III, Blanche Skelley Mullaney, David Patten Skelley ; grandchildren, Sheri Lynn Skelley Blaise, Charles Richard Skelley, Karen M. Skelley Repp, Renee Skelley King, Michael D. Skelley, Casey Mullaney Bozeman, John Patrick Mullaney, Shelley Gentry Harris and Charles Nathan Gentry; great-grandchildren, Michael & Kathren Blaise, Jacob King, Lindsey Repp, William Skelley, Hawkins and Piper Mullaney.
Preceding Etta in death was her husband of 54 years, W.R. Skelley, Jr.; five brothers Bob, Leslie, Lewis, Dwight, and Paul Boehms; and great-grandson Austin King. Burial will be at Little Lot Cemetery (6784 Little Lot Cemetery Road Lyles, TN, 37098).
Etta’s interests centered in her home, family, and church. She was a very skilled seamstress and quilter. Etta also wrote a book on her mother’s family, The Woodys and The Graceys. She was a gardener all her life and a great cook.
A celebration of life well-lived will be conducted at the Little Lot Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Little Lot United Methodist Church (6784 Little Lot Cemetery Road, Lyles, TN, 37098) or Little Lot Cemetery (C/O Jimmy Copley 7392 Highway 230, Lyles, TN, 37098).
The McDonald Funeral Home (102 West End Street, Centerville, TN, 37033) will assist the family with her arrangements.
Etta Boehms Skelley
August 28, 1920 - September 7, 2017
08/28/1920 - 09/07/2017
Past Services
Cemetery
My quilting buddy and friend, Mrs. Skelley
While we have not met Etta, she was obviously an accomplished and talented woman. We know her daughter, Blanche, who is also accomplished and talented. We send our sympathies to the entire family on Etta’s passing.
Etta was obviously an amazing, accomplished, and talented woman who will be missed by many. We have never met Etta, but we do know her daughter, Blanche, who is also an accomplished and talented woman. Our deepest sympathies to the whole family on Etta’s passing.
Mrs. Skelley was a true friend, we will miss her.