Mary Ramell Hall Skinner

Mary Ramell Hall Skinner, born December 3, 1932, died at age 89, Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Pine Pointe Hospice in Macon, Georgia. She and her beloved husband, Charlie H. Skinner (10/4/1933), were married for over 64 years.

Mary was born and raised in Cairo, Georgia, the daughter of Alton and Edna (Sutton) Hall. She was the eldest of six children, including Ronald Alton (Ronnie) Hall, Joseph Seaborn (Joe) Hall, James Edward (Ed) Hall, Jack Heard (Jack) Hall, and Robert Lee (Bob) Hall. All except Ed Hall predeceased her. She attended Cairo High School, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), where she met her future husband, and Georgia State College for Women (GSCW). Later she received her master’s degree from Valdosta State College (VSC).

Mary worked as a science teacher in Canton, Georgia, Griffin, Georgia, Sinking Fork, Kentucky, and Cary, North Carolina. She took time off to raise her two daughters Deborah Carol Skinner Davis (born 9/28/1961) and Edna Claire Skinner Davis (born 9/28/1963). She then returned to teaching science at Whigham High School, where she taught a generation of Grady County students. The last 10 years of her career were spent as Director of the Jobs with Dignity program of the Grady County School System, where she worked to find employment for retired senior citizens.

Mary was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Cairo, Georgia. Her relationship with God was very strong and gave her comfort throughout her life. After moving to Carlyle Place, a retirement community in Macon, Georgia, she joined Vineville United Methodist Church and often worshiped with her Carlyle community as well. She was much beloved by her family and her extended family. She was an important part of the life of Cairo, Georgia, and she leaves many friends behind at Carlyle Place as well. She lived a rich life, full of love and the opportunities to have the experiences she desired. She and Charlie enjoyed travel, musical performances, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She loved gardening in her yard in Cairo and worked hard at it. She was supported and loved by her daughters, sons-in-law, and her granddaughter and family. As she was leaving this life, the family welcomed her first great granddaughter.

Mary was a very strong woman. She was the first female member of the Grady County School Board, running for office at a time when not many women were in public life. She also suffered from and fought type-1 diabetes for 35 years, with a commitment to physical exercise that lengthened and enhanced her later years. She was a role model to her family and extended family.

Mary is survived by her husband, Charlie Howard Skinner, her daughter and son-in-law Deborah Skinner Davis and Alan Michael Bernstein, her youngest daughter Claire Skinner Davis and her son-in-law Dan Sherell Davis, her granddaughter, Ruth Emily Davis Holland, her grand-son-in-law, Martin Landis Holland, and her great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Margaret Holland. She also leaves a loving brother, Ed Hall, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews who all loved and admired her very much. Mary will be missed and remembered with love by her family and friends for years to come. Her loss leaves a large hole in our hearts.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Carlyle Place, Macon, Georgia, on February 5, 2022, from 2-4 pm. Graveside services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Cairo, Georgia, on February 12, at 2 pm, with Reverend Christy Bandy and Reverend Claire Davis officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vineville United Methodist Church in Macon, Georgia, Cairo First United Methodist Church in Cairo, Georgia, Pine Pointe Hospice in Macon, Georgia, or the charity of your choice.

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