Nora Skelton

Nora Jeanette (Purifoy) Skelton, 92, of Hillsboro passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, after a sudden stroke. Her family will host a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro with Pastor Jo Ramsey officiating. Her ashes will be scattered at the Purifoy family plot at Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana.

Jeanette was born August 9, 1923, in Corsicana to Russell Albritton Purifoy and Nora Etta (Billie) Boyd Purifoy. She studied library science at Texas Women's University. On September 17, 1944, Jeanette married former schoolmate Charles William Skelton, who was on leave while serving in the Pacific Theater as a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy.

After the war, Jeanette and Charlie lived in College Station, where he attended Texas A&M. After Charlie's graduation with a degree in Electrical Engineering, the couple moved to the Dallas suburb of Irving to raise their family. She was employed by Texas Utilities, first in their Irving office and later in their training center near Athens. Later they lived many years in the East Texas community of Calendar Lake, where Jeanette organized and established the community library now named in her honor.

Jeanette, Grandma or Granny as she was known to her family, was cheerful, industrious, generous and practical. She was never still and cultivated numerous skills and hobbies that she used to enrich the lives of those around her. She loved being outside working in her yard, hand-quilting intricate quilts for family members, painting ceramics, and "putting up" jelly to give to friends and neighbors. Making another gift of her time and energy, Jeanette delved into genealogy on both sides of the family. She spent hours researching, walking old cemeteries, and writing letters to document her findings. After moving to Hillsboro in 2008, she became an active member of the First Presbyterian Church. She especially enjoyed monthly meetings of the Bible Study Circle.

Jeanette Skelton was predeceased by her husband of 57 years and one son, Russell Fairfax (Rusty) Skelton. She is survived by sons, Charles W. Skelton, Jr. and wife, Maria, of Kauai and David Boyd Skelton MD, and wife, Roberta, of Hillsboro; Daphne Skelton, widow of Rusty; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

The family wishes to publicly thank Divine Living and especially caregivers Ella Abston and Victoria Southern for their kind, faithful, and dedicated service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 301 Old Brandon Road, Hillsboro, TX 76645 or to the charity of one's choice.

Memorial Service

Tuesday July 5, 2016 , 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church