Arleigh Skinner Gaskins

Arleigh Skinner Gaskins of Monroe died on Thanksgiving day, November 24, 2011, after a brief illness. Born in Henderson on December 28, 1917 to Lonnie Arleight Skinner and Rosa Biddle Skinner, Arleigh grew up in Henderson and Gastonia. After high school she moved to New Bern where she met her Husband of 71 years, Eura DuVal “Ed” Gaskins who died in 2009. The family moved to Monroe in 1951. Her four passions were family, church, creative decorating and “fancy” in general. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Monroe for 60 years where she served for many years as a Sunday school teacher. She is survived by two sons, E.D. Gaskins, Jr., and wife Ann of Raleigh, Greg C. Gaskins and wife Janet of Charlotte; granddaughters, Natalie Gaskins Sherman and husband Brent of Chicago, and Meredith Gaskins Bell and husband Robert of Raleigh; great – grandchildren Parker Sherman, Anabel Sherman, and Brent D. Sherman, Addison Bell, Craven Bell, and Benjamin Bell. Arleigh was very proud of both her boys and delighted in her “grands” as well as her nieces and nephews ( the children of her three sisters). Throughout her son’s schooling she was actively involved in the PTA and in all the school activities. She was an excellent cook and hostess and set a fine table, whether for family holidays or entertaining friends. During the time Ed served as president of American Bank Trust Company and Chairman of United Carolina Bancshares, she served as the “first lady” of the bank. Her versatile creative talents were demonstrated in her design of the stylized American Bank lettering to her holiday decorating using many of her own creations and her always matching head to toe attire. A memorial service celebrating Arleigh’s 93 wonderful years will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Monroe. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Monroe, 109 Morrow Ave., Monroe, N.C. 28112. The family thanks her caregivers over the last year, the Visiting Angels, who lived up to their name, and special thanks to a close companion and family friend for the last 30 years, Betty McClendon. We love and miss you Arleigh, Mom, Grandmother and Grand. We are confident you joined Ed for Thanksgiving. Yours was a life well lived. Gordon Funeral Service Crematory is caring for the Gaskins family. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Published online on November 26, 2011 courtesy of Gordon Funeral Service, Inc. .