Marguerite S. Skipper

Marguerite passed away peacefully at her home surround by family on February 27, 2014. She was born March 23, 1924 in Covena, Georgia to Barnell and Lonie Powell Stewart. Marguerite moved to Bartow, Florida at the age of 2. She graduated from Summerlin Insitute where she met and on August 10, 1947 married John Raab Skipper. Marguerite then moved with Raab to Sebring where they lived and she became involved with the family cattle business serving as Sec. and Tres. of Skipper Cattle Corp. Marguerite was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Sebring Historical Society, Highlands County Historic Preservation Commission, Sebring Woman's Club, Lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary, Highlands County Jury Commission, and various other civic and political organizations. In 1977 Marguerite was named "Florida Mother of the Year". That same year she was also awarded the "Dick Pope Service Award" at Cypress Gardens. She was preceded in death by her husband John Raab Skipper, Sr. and son William Vanderipe "Van" Skipper (Rogena). She is survived by her sons John Raab Skipper, Jr. (Leesa) Lake Placid and Dr. Stewart Allen Skipper (Ginny) Avon Park, nine grandchildren Victoria Skipper, Tampa; Justin Rymer (Natsha), Philadelphia; Stewart Skipper (Lori), Wesley Chapel; Rachel Wilson (Craig), Birmingham; Nathan Skipper, Sarasota; Raab Skipper, Lake Placid; Jonathan Skipper, Tampa; Leighton Skipper, Lake Placid; Paige Skipper, Ocala; two great grandchildren, Madison Wilson, Birmingham; Zeb Rymer, Phildelphia and a sister, Martha Miller, Bartow. The family would like express a special thanks to caregivers Ebba Osterlund, Ruth Ann Bierce, and Good Shepherd Hospice. May God bless each and every one of you! Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Wed. March 5, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Sebring. Graveside services will follow in the Pinecrest Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the "Van Skipper scholarship fund" at the First United Methodist Church, Sebring Florida. Arrangements entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, Sebring, FL www.stephensonnelsonfh.com