Leona Hixon Skinner

Leona Hixon Skinner, 101, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, July 4, 2011. Born December 21, 1909, in Thomson, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Albert Gary ?Alb? and Lucinda ?Lucy? Julianna Hensley Hixon. She was the widow of James Ernest Skinner, Sr.. At the age of 5, she moved to Columbia with her parents. After graduating from Olympia High School in 1928, she attended Columbia Bible College (now, Columbia International University). Living most of her life in the Rosewood section of Columbia, Mrs. Skinner worked at Doughty's Cleaners, Fort Jackson laundry (during World War II), and Master Cleaners. She was a lifetime member of Rosewood Baptist Church. She was a lifelong Republican and an avid Gamecock fan. She was the loving mother of two daughters, Liane Skinner Harman, and Tina Skinner (Mrs. Carl H.) Todd; a son, James Ernest Skinner, Jr.; 12 grandchildren, Carla Harman (Gary) Hardee, Janece Harman (Robert) Frazier, James C. ?Bobby? Harman, Jr. (Sarah), Joanne Harman (Gregg) Johnson, Lesa Gail Harman (Robert) Dietrich, Thomas W. Harman (Lara), Teri Todd (Joe) Hanson, Gregory B. Todd (Rhonda), Lauri Todd (Jody) Truesdale, Marc S. Todd (Teri), Michael G. Skinner (Greta), and C. Dwayne Skinner; 27 great-grandchildren, Taryn Shekitka-West (David), Steven Shekitka, Samuel Bradshaw, William Harman, James Harman, Rebecca Harman, Elisha Harman, Jeffrey Johnson, Bethany Johnson, Peter Johnson, Abigail Johnson, Alyssa Johnson, John Dietrich, Jacob Dietrich, Kimberly Dietrich, Ella Harman, Ava Harman, Bryan Hanson (Molly), Derrick Hanson (Meghan), Michael Todd, Haley Todd, Jordan Truesdale, Sarah Truesdale, Todd Truesdale, Kinsey Todd, Evan Todd, and Trenton Skinner; and, 2 great-great-grandchildren, Benjamin West and Zoey Shekitka. Other survivors include numerous extended family members. She was also predeceased by a son, William Albert Skinner; a son-in-law, James C. ?Bob? Harman, Sr.; a sister, Odessa Hixon Corley; and a brother, Albert Erby Hixon. Funeral services for Mrs. Skinner will be held Saturday, July 9, 2011, at 2:00 PM in the chapel at Greenlawn Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services. The family suggests memorials be made to Rosewood Baptist Church, 2901 Rosewood Dr., Columbia, SC 29205; Eau Claire Baptist Church, 4427 North Main St., Columbia, SC 29203; or Carolina Children's Home, 3201 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204. The family has entrusted Greenlawn Funeral Home with the arrangements.