Walter Winston Skinner

Dr. Walter Skinner, 82, died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 at his home near Moreland. Walter Winston Skinner Sr. was born Sept. 6, 1934 in Donalsonville, Ga., the only child of George Washington Skinner and Golden Zorn Skinner. His father was a logger, and the family moved numerous times while he was growing up. He graduated from Luthersville High School in 1954. He earned a bachelor of science degree from West Georgia College in 1963. His masters of education in 1965 and doctor of education in 1971 were from the University of Georgia. He taught briefly in Clayton County and was counselor and dean of students at Brunswick Junior College. After obtaining his doctorate, he taught educational psychology at Georgia State University. In retirement, he became a licensed psychologist and practiced in both Newnan and Columbus. Beginning when he was in high school, he was a member of the National Guard unit in Newnan. During Operation Desert Storm, he was called to active duty, serving as a psychologist in the hospital at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, and at Martin Army Hospital at Fort Benning. He retired with the rank of major. He met Sara Jane Trammell when they were in the seventh grade in Luthersville. They married on Aug. 10, 1957. In the 1970s, they purchased and restored Cedar Hill, an antebellum home near Moreland. Dr. Skinner was diagnosed with a brain tumor 10 years ago, underwent surgery and was able to live at home thanks to the care of his family and devoted caregivers including Teresa Mackert, Priscilla Hill, Debbi Haynes, Elsie Thaxton, Norma Bennett and Eula Nesbitt. The funeral service will be Monday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, where he was an active member for many years. Dr. Winford Hendrix will lead the service, with Dr. Joel Richardson giving the eulogy assisted by Rev. Ruth Cuellar, Rev. Rhodes Skinner and Rev. Winston Skinner. Rev. Anne Cronic will lead music with Cris Avila and Dr. Carmen Skaggs. The family will receive friends Sunday evening at the funeral home from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers, and interment will follow at Luthersville Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Rainbow of Love, 75 Hearthstone Dr., Newnan, GA 30263. Survivors include his wife, Sara Jane Skinner of Moreland; sons and daughters-in-law, Winston and Lynn Skinner of Newnan, Robert and Lisa Skinner of Moreland, Rhodes and Tracy Skinner of Moreland; grandchildren, Sallie and Jim Kight of Newnan, Jane and Jaswanth Sreeram of Menlo Park, Calif., Ry Skinner of Newnan, Rachel and Nick Evans of Cleveland, Cessily Skinner and Julie Schumacher of San Diego, Calif., Joshua and Emily Skinner of Newnan, Luke Skinner of Moreland, Noah Skinner of Moreland; great-grandchildren, Clair Lynn Kight, Quinn Kight, Rohan Sreeram; brother-in-law, Young and Linda Trammell of Conyers; sister-in-law, Menlia Trammell of Luthersville; nieces, nephews and cousins. McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St., Newnan, 770-253-4580

Walter Winston Skinner

September 6, 1934 - December 8, 2016