Barbara Elaine Skinner

Our loving Mother Barbara (Houdeshell) Skinner went to be with the lord on Jan. 24th, 2021. She was 73 years young.

She was born on July 14, 1947, in Greenville, Ohio, to the late Donovan Houdeshell and Phyllis (Gibson) Cheadle.

In addition to her parents, Barb was proceeded in death by her husband of nearly 56 years, Richard; her two Brothers, Chester “Chet” Cheadle and Greg Cheadle. All of whom she has dearly missed and will be waiting to greet her in Heaven.

She is survived by a son, Richard “Rick” and his wife, Kris, and their two children, Katelyn and Kyle; her daughter, Julie Skinner and her son, Brayden. She is also survived by her brothers, Donovan “Don” Houdeshell of Asotin, Washington, Ronald Houdeshell of Dayton, Ohio; and a sister, Bonnie Rodgers, and husband, Dave, of Dayton; and several nieces and nephews.

Barb truly loved life and spending time with her family and many friends. She loved making and creating things throughout the year that she could share with others. Things such as wonderful meals, ceramics, homemade greeting cards to scrapbooks, anything that she thought would bring joy, beauty, or happiness to someone’s life. But the thing Barb loved the most, and she will probably most be remembered for, was her love of flowers, herbs, and gardening! She loved sharing her knowledge of herbs and plants with anyone that would listen or take them. She was always giving away a start of a plant or something she grew in her greenhouse. She took her love of gardening to another level as she was a long-time member of the Ladybug Garden Club where she served in many leadership roles over the years. One of her most favorite times of year, other than Christmas, was fair time and preparing for the Great Darke County Fair. She cherished the time she spent with her friends planting flowers in the fairgrounds flower beds or preparing flower arrangements to enter at the fair.

There are many words we could use to describe Barb’s life, but Faithful Servant would be the most appropriate. Not only was she a wonderful Mom, selflessly serving her family, but she was a faithful servant of Jesus and her church family at Gospel Baptist Church. Barb was always looking for ways to serve others, her friends, and her community.

To say serving others was her lifelong calling is an understatement. This started early in life as she began working as a young teenager waitressing in her Aunt’s corner café in Arcanum and continued as a waitress for many years at Schumeth’s restaurant in Greenville, all while raising a family. Her life of service continued for 23 years as she sacrificed, weekends, nights, and holidays to help others as a Deputy 911 Dispatcher at the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. After she retired in 2007, she felt the need to fill her free time, so she took on the role as an auctioneer’s assistant and clerk for Mike Baker and Jim Wroda, where she served many years.

When Barb was not helping others, spending time in flowerbeds, or at an auction, you could find her cheering for one of her grandchildren at a sporting event, or some special event they were involved in. She loved to travel! It did not matter if it was just a Sunday drive to visit friends or one of many family fishing and hunting trips to Canada, Montana and New Mexico, she always enjoyed an adventure! One of her most favorite trips was the two months she and Richard spent driving to Alaska in their truck camper.

Although Barb dedicated her life to helping others, her greatest passion and accomplishment was raising her family. Though only being five feet tall, she was a gentle giant, but she could also be a force to be reckoned with. Barb was, in life as she was in her death, a Fighter and a Survivor! She was a breast cancer survivor of over eight years and a fighter up until she took her last breath. So much so, she earned the nickname “Rocky” from her nurses.

“Mom, you’ve fought the good fight and now your work is done. Fly high with the angels as there is no doubt you’ve earned your wings! Rest easy you beautiful soul.”

A memorial celebration of Barb’s life will be held at Greenville Union Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Barb would love a donation be made on her behalf to: State of the Heart Care, 1350 N. Broadway Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331. www.stateoftheheartcare.org

Barb’s family has entrusted Tribute Funeral Homes to handle her final arrangements.

Online condolences can be shared with Barb’s family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.