Rachel Woods Skinner

The beautiful musical journey ended today, Thursday, February 21, 2019, with the death of Rachel Woods Skinner.  It began many years ago in Ashland, KY. There she participated in many musical programs in school, and traveled many summers to Lake Placid New York for training in voice and cello. At Dennison University in Ohio she was in many programs as soloist and in chorus.  After college she sang for a while in “Wilderness Road” in Berea, KY. After marriage to her husband she traveled with him in his navy career to several cities where she sang in church choirs and as a soloist.  After moving to Kingsport in 1980 Rachel began singing in First Baptist Church choir and as an occasional soloist. She also began playing her cello and also took lessons in violin. She played in the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra for several years and also in the Johnson City Orchestra.  Realizing the need for string lessons existed, Rachel began teaching strings to students in violin, cello and viola. Rachel did this for several years, sometimes having as many as 40 students. She did this for the love of music and of people and never charged for lessons she gave. She truly loved music.

In addition to musical activities, Rachel also found time to deliver Meals on Wheels almost every Thursday for 37 years. She and her husband took in foster children for about 5 years and had over 25 children who called her Mom. She taught Sunday School at FBC for 35 years.

She was married to her husband, Wendell Skinner for 56 years.

In addition to her husband, she leaves behind children, Curtis Skinner of Okeechobee, Florida, Andy Skinner and his wife Pha, and their 3 children of Framingham, MA, Laura Clark and husband, Dave and their 2 children of Gainesville, Florida; and   Carol Barnes of Moraviann Falls, NC.

Heaven in all its glory and music will enjoy her presence and we will miss her.

Rachel asked that her body be donated to restore life.

The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:45 am on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at First Baptist Church.  A memorial service will follow in the sanctuary at 11:00 am with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating.

Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of one’s choice.