Joyce Marie (Anderson) Skinner, 83, of Galesburg passed away Friday, July 19, 2024 at home surrounded by family.
Joyce was born August 30, 1940, at her home in rural Berwick, Illinois, to Clifford and Martha Jane (McMurtrey) Anderson. She married her childhood sweetheart Paul Skinner, June 15, 1958 in Berwick. After forty-eight years of marriage he preceded her in death in 2006.
Surviving is her daughter, Jill (Scott) Seiberlich of Galesburg, Illinois; a grand-daughter, Lindsay (Brennan) Seiberlich Kelso; three grandsons, Jacob (Holly), Justin (Autumn) and Joshua Seiberlich; three great grandchildren, Addilyn Marie, Ella Grace and Carter Matthew Kelso; one sister, Lois (Robert) Jones of Quincy; and several nieces and nephews who always made a special place in their hearts for Joyce. She is also survived by her in-laws, Max Johnson of Abingdon, John Steele of Galesburg, Dorothy Skinner of Spokane, WA, Mary Tatman of Monmouth, Gene and Lynn Skinner of Knoxville and several nieces and nephew in-laws. Her special friends that survive are Jean Burgen of Dahinda, Bonnie Morris of Galesburg and Emeline Dunham of Iowa who was always a special blessing to Joyce. Preceding her in death is her husband, Paul; two daughters, Penny Lynn and Stacey JoLeen; her parents; her sisters, Cona Johnson and Betty Burt; her brothers, Thomas and Jerry Anderson, brothers-in-law, Glen Burt, Larry Skinner, Marvin Skinner and Robert Tatman; sister-in-law, Ruby Steele; nieces Melissa Johnson and Julia Skinner Brewer and her special friend of over sixty years, Barbara Besaw.
Joyce accepted the Lord at the age of 13 at the Berwick Baptist Church under the Preaching of Rev. Raymond DeLaughter. Joyce was blessed with a loving husband, daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family including her church family from Bethany Baptist Church and New Life Baptist Church. The Lord has used Joyce to care for many loved ones in her home, her beloved grandmother Anderson, her mother, mother-in-law, sister, brother-in-law and brother. She thanked the Lord for those opportunities of service.
Joyce lived in Berwick until June 15, 1958 when she married her childhood sweetheart, Paul R. Skinner and moved to Topeka, Kansas where he was stationed in the U.S.A.F. They later moved to Columbus, Georgia in 1963 while Paul was Stationed with the U.S. Army. In 1965, Paul and Joyce moved to Abingdon when Paul was deployed to Vietnam. They later moved to Galesburg in 2000.
Joyce graduated from Roseville High School in 1958 and went on to earn her Associate in Accounting at Carl Sandburg College. She was awarded Outstanding Accounting Student of the Year award. Joyce also studied over 700 hours at the Illinois Property Institute, and was a Certified Illinois Assessment Officer. She was awarded Illinois Property Institute Marshall, Theroux Memorial award for Leadership and Distinguished Achievements in the Assessment Profession. And received letters of congratulations from Senator Carl Hawkinson and Representative Donald Moffitt.
Joyce worked at many libraries, including the Abingdon John Mosser Public Library. She also worked as an Assessor for Knox County “5” assessment district. She was then elected as Chief County Assessment Officer in 2000 and served until her retirement in 2008.
Cremation will be accorded. Celebration of life is scheduled for 11:00 am. Saturday, July 27, 2024, at New Life Baptist Church in Galesburg. Memorials may be made to New Life Baptist Church. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com.
