Our beloved Elizabeth Rose Skinner, 87, Newcastle, passed away, on November 3, 2014, at the Weston County Manor, Newcastle, WY.

She was born September 8, 1927, in Camp Creek, WV, to Isaac James Ellison and Mary Elizabeth Lily-Taylor. Shortly after childbirth, Elizabeth's mother passed away and she was unofficially adopted by her aunt, Florence Lily Taylor, and her uncle, Wylie Taylor, and was raised in the coal mining town of Lillybrook, West Virginia.

In the early 1940's, on a train ride to San Francisco, Elizabeth met her true love, Leo Sheldon Skinner. They were married in San Francisco on January 6, 1944, and upon Leo's discharge from the Navy, they moved to West Virginia and resided there until 1949. After several moves, they settled in Newcastle in 1951 and decided to put down roots. During the mid 1950's Elizabeth worked as a cashier for Decker's and later was employed for ten years as a dispatcher for the Newcastle Police Department.

Throughout Elizabeth's life she had many joys and passions. Among her favorite was spending time with family and friends, preferably playing card and board games. She loved fishing and camping. She was an avid bird enthusiast and enjoyed long walks in search of arrowheads. Never far from a crochet needle and yarn, Elizabeth's unparalleled crocheting skills earned her a purple ribbon at the 1973 Weston County Fair. A lover of music, Elizabeth was an accomplished pianist often accompanying her church choir and church services. She was known for her green thumb with all plant life and one of the highlights of summer was enjoying the bounty of her vegetable garden. A voracious reader, she loved a variety of storytelling with the Bible being her most cherished. Elizabeth was an active and dedicated member of the First Baptist Church and was ardent about her faith and the teachings of Christ.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Elizabeth will be deeply missed. She had a generous and kind spirit. She never knew a stranger and all were welcome at her table. She leaves us with an indelible and unforgettable mark upon all our hearts.

Elizabeth is survived by her sons, Michael Leo Skinner and Errol Patrick Skinner; her daughter-in-law, Karla Jo Skinner; her granddaughters, Stephanie Skinner, Melissa Bettencourt (Jude) and Emily Skinner-Angel (Greg); her great-grandson, Ian Skinner; and several nephews and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Leo Sheldon Skinner; father, Isaac James Ellison; mother, Mary Elizabeth Lily-Ellison; brother, John Earl Ellison; aunt, Florence Lily Taylor; uncle, Wiley Taylor; cousin, Elizabeth Prince; and several other nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Services will be held on November 13, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 903 S. Summit Avenue, Newcastle, WY, with lunch to follow at the Senior Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Weston County Manor.