Samuel Lee Skinner

Samuel Lee Skinner Our heavenly Father called His child from labor to reward on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at The Woodmark at Uptown in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Samuel Lee Skinner was born August 29, 1930, to Wiley and Gertrude Johnson Payton in Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina. He was the youngest of seven children. At the age of one, after the death of his mother, Samuel was adopted and reared by the late Cecil and Roxie Skinner. He accepted Christ early and was baptized at Kadesh African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He received his education in the Edenton-Chowan Public School System. In 1954, Samuel married the late Columbus Bell. Together, they raised three children - the late William “Billy,” Marilynn, and Gregory, who was adopted into the family when his mother was killed in an automobile accident. Samuel loved all three of his children unconditionally. Samuel saw the need to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force serving in the Vietnam and Korean Wars. Throughout his military career, Samuel was stationed at Hahn Airforce Base, Germany; an Airforce Base in Hawaii; the Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland; Davis-Monthan Airforce Base in Tucson, Arizona; McChord Airforce Base in Tacoma, Washington, and Kirtland Airforce Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After 21 years of active duty and obtaining the rank of Tech Sergeant (TSgt), Samuel voluntarily retired and was Honorably discharged on September 30, 1968, at Kirtland Airforce Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Samuel received several military honors for his service, including the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM), and the Bronze Star. On November 10, 1978, Samuel married Louise Joy and was blessed with 5 additional children—Roy (Patty) Joy, Teresa (Charles) Kelley, Carlos Joy, the late Lonnie Joy, and Bonita Miller. Later in life, Samuel settled in Duncan, Oklahoma where he was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church West for over 20 years. He served as a Sunday School Teacher, Trustee Board Member, Food Bank Facilitator, and Men’s Ministry Leader. Samuel was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley & Gertrude; his adopted parents, Cecil and Roxie; his sisters Susie Green, Willie Louise Gaskins, Maggie Nixon, and Catherine Carter; his brothers, James Edward Brickhouse and Vernon "Ferman" Brickhouse; his son, Willie Lee Blount; his step-son William "Billy" Bell. Cherishing his memories are his wife, Louise Joy Skinner of Duncan, OK; daughter, Marilynn (Sylvester) Johnlouis, of Albuquerque, NM; son, Gregory (Richelle) Skinner of Denver, CO; Grandsons: Brett (Perla) Bell, Troy Bell, Terrence Johnlouis, Tyreau Johnlouis all of Albuquerque, NM; Eric Kyle (Tonia) Douglas of Upper Marlboro, MD, and Tradell (Ebony) Sanders of Upper Darby, PA, Jeremiah Kelley, and Christopher Kelley. Granddaughters: Tisheea Johnlouis of Albuquerque, NM, Dr. Rikesha Fry (Mark) Brown of Lithonia, GA, and Gaela Kelley; Great Grandchildren: Tyler Bell, T. J. Bell, Kyliah Johnlouis, Abdiel Bell, Brayden Bell, Monte Wallace, Ian Douglas, Tatum Sanders, Teigan Sanders, Mark Brown, Jr., Brandon Ray Joy. First Cousins: Norman Brinkley, Edenton, NC, and Leroy Brinkley of Chesapeake, VA., Vanora (Levi) Brothers of Hertford, NC. Nieces: Mary Helen (Albert) Campbell, Jean Harris, Hope Gaskins Downing, Christine Harris. Nephews: Curtis Gene Bell, Isaiah "Skip" Massey, Tim McKellar. Great Nieces: Janie Nechelle Thompson, Brielle "Star" Rodriquez, Amber "Suni" Campbell, Fathima Burks. Great Nephews: Mychal “Joey” Campbell, James Burks, Isa Burks, Leslie Burks, Monte Earl Gaskins, Ernest Goodwin, and a host of other relatives and friends.