SKELTON, Susan Ann Howard - Putnam

Mrs. Susan Ann Skelton, 88, died at the home of her daughter Mrs. Perle Riggle here Sunday evening after a short illness with pneumonia. Her husband Joseph Skelton died on September 12, 1916. Mrs. Skelton was born near here April 17, 1851, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca Stevens Howard. She had lived her entire life in this community. Surviving besides the daughter at whose home she died are another daughter Mrs. Oval Myers of near here; two son: Early Skelton who is employed at Grand Rapids, Michigan and Fred Skelton of near here, and a number of grandchildren. Funeral serices were held Tuesday afternoon at the Chastain funeral home with Rev. C. L. Airhart of New Market in charge. Burial was made in Roachdale cemetery. Source: Same 1/25/1940 Susan Ann Howard was born April 17, 1851, on a farm near here and passed from this life January 14, 1940 at the home of her daughter Mrs. Perle Riggle, having lived 88 years 8 months and 27 days. She was the oldest of three children born to Robert and Rebecca Howard. She was reared in the early pioneer home where good and noble characters were formed by toiling and enduring the hardships of those early days. She was married to Joseph Skelton September 25, 1878, and they lived in the little cabin north of her father's house, later moving near the old tile factory; they then built their own home a short distance west where they toiled together and raised their family. Five children were born to them; Fred, John Austin, deceased, Perle, Ina and Earl. Mr. Skelton died September 12, 1916, so the home was broken up and Mrs. Skelton spent most of her time with her children. Then she went to live with Mrs. Owsley, remaining there almost ten years. When her health failed Mrs. Owsley and her daughter Mrs. Alma Miller gave her the best of care, filling the last days she spent in their home with comfort which she appreciated so much. The last several months she lived with her daughters: Mrs. Ina Myers, and Mrs. Perle Riggle, who have also kindly administered to her every want. Besides the four children she leaves ten grandchildren: James and Charles Skelton; Clayton, Howard, Joseph and Jeannette Riggle; Mary Secrest, Margaret and Edith Skelton and Junior Myers, one niece Mrs. Ethel Fry and many relatives and friends to mourn her passing. Eight-odd years is a long life to live but not too long when it is full of usefulness. And at its close, when the curtains are drawn and the lights go out-then comes peace, rest    --- thanks so much to Marilyn Walker for donating her wonderful Roachdale Times obituary file for use on this site.