Norma Meador Skeels

BURLINGTON - Norma Meador Skeels, 81, passed away Friday, February 2, 2007, at her residence in Burlington.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 5, at First Baptist Church, Burlington, with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Elon.

She was born Norma Eugenia Meador in Chester, South Carolina, November 24, 1925, to Guy Atkinson Meador and Cora Hudspeth Meador, both deceased.

Mrs. Skeels was educated in the Chester City Schools, and graduated summa cum laude from Limestone College, Gaffney, South Carolina in 1945.

She was married to William Henry (Bill) Skeels, III on August 14, 1948.

Mrs. Skeels taught for 31 years in North Carolina, all but four in her adopted town of Burlington.

She taught chemistry at Fayetteville High School from 1945 to 1948 and, during that time, taught a year of Chemistry at the extension of the University of North Carolina in Fayetteville where she met her husband, Bill.

She taught third grade and science in grades 6-9 at the Burlington Day School in Burlington. Honoring her work in science with the students, the Norma M. Skeels nature trail on the grounds of the school was dedicated in 1981.

After a year teaching chemistry at Southern Alamance High School, Mrs. Skeels moved to Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington, where she taught for a total of nine years.

Mrs. Skeels was active in extracurricular activities at each school where she taught, including acting as advisors to a number of student groups. She was particularly active in organizing and leading student field trips, especially those related to science instruction.

Norma, together with her husband, Bill, were active and enthusiastic followers and supporters of the sports teams of the schools where her children and grandchildren participated, and continued that support long after their graduations, especially for Williams High School and the University of North Carolina Ð Chapel Hill. They for many years have endowed a scholarship at the University of North Carolina, and were honored for lifetime efforts by Williams High School, being given the Super Fan award in 2002.

Mrs. Skeels was active in the community throughout her life. She was named the Junior Woman's Club Young Woman of the Year in 1959 for various civic and volunteer efforts, and co-founded the Burlington chapter of the League of Women Voters in 1960, from whom she received a lifetime award recognizing her work in 1979.

Reflecting her work in the schools, she was active in tutoring students, and was a life member of the Williams High School PTA.

Norma had a lifelong interest in travel, making numerous trips with her husband, Bill covering much of the United States and the world, including Russia, China, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Ireland and South America. They had a particular love for England, returning many times over the years.

Arising out of her work organizing school trips, Mrs. Skeels was active in organizing trips for groups of up to 40 to various locations, becoming a registered travel agent. Her love of travel was reflected in her ÔThe Road Rises' column in the Burlington-Alamance City County Newspaper, which she wrote for a number of years and which recounted the highlights of many of their travels.

The Skeels have been members of the First Baptist Church of Burlington for 57 years, and Mrs. Skeels' active participation reflected her faith and commitment to the church. She taught extensively in the church Sunday School and Training Union, was active in the Women's Missionary Union, and was a leader of the church's Girl's Auxiliary for a number of years. Reflecting her love of music, she was a long time and faithful participant in the First Baptist church choir.

Mrs. Skeels is survived by her husband, Bill and children, William H. Skeels, IV (wife, Roxanne) of Raleigh, and Carol Skeels Kerr and David Lee Skeels, both of Jamestown. She has three grandchildren, Brandon Kerr, Matthew Kerr (wife, Lisa) and Ryan Kerr; and two great-grandchildren, Jacob Kerr and Wyatt Kerr.

She is also survived by sisters, Doris Little and her husband, Bob Little of Whiteville and Ellen Burnette of Greer, South Carolina; as well as a brother, Guy A. Meador Jr. and his wife, Sally Banks Meador of Chester, South Carolina.

Preceding in death was her sister, Beth Hoyle.

The family will receive visitors from 3 until 5 p.m. Sunday at Rich & Thompson Funeral Home, Burlington.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Education Fund, the Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 1315 Ashleybrook Lane, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103; or the Parkinson's Unity Walk, P.O. Box 1963, Jamestown, N.C. 27282.

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