Terri Lynn Skinner

Terri Lynn Skinner, 70, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed away unexpectedly on March 28, 2026.

Terri was born on September 3, 1955, in Durant, Oklahoma, to N.B. and Joan Thomas. She grew up in Altus, Oklahoma, where she proudly followed in her family's footsteps by attending and graduating from Oklahoma State University. After college, she returned home to work alongside her mother in the family's retail businesses.

In the fall of 1977, Terri met Robert Skinner when he sold her a car at Skinner Motor Company. Their whirlwind courtship led to marriage on February 3, 1978, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with love and adventure that spanned 48 years. Together, they built a family, welcoming their daughter Whittney in 1980, followed by two sons, Grant in 1982 and Zack in 1983. For the next two decades, Terri devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her children. No school costume was too elaborate, no science fair project too ambitious—she approached motherhood with tireless energy and unwavering love. Perhaps nothing illustrated this more than her willingness to cheer on the Oklahoma Sooners.

In 1992, the family moved to Farmington, New Mexico, for Robert's career with Edward Jones, and shortly thereafter to Carlsbad, New Mexico, where they remained until 2006. They then returned to Altus, where Robert completed his career. In 2016, they retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where they embraced lake life and built a close-knit community of friends. Throughout her life, Terri was deeply involved in her community. She was active in her church, gave generously of her time, and participated in organizations such as PEO and the Altus Aldonian Club. Her Christian faith was unwavering, and she lived a life of service, consistently putting others before herself.

As her children grew older, Terri discovered one of her greatest passions—running. For more than 30 years, she faithfully laced up her shoes before sunrise and hit the pavement, undeterred by wind, rain, or frigid temperatures. Even lightning was sometimes up for debate. She completed the Oklahoma City Marathon three times and even qualified for the Boston Marathon, but nothing was more a part of who she was than her daily pre-dawn runs.

Terri had a gift for forming and maintaining meaningful connections, and she cherished the many friendships she built in each place she lived. Many of these friendships endured over the years and were celebrated through shared travels and annual gatherings. Her greatest joy, however, was being "Gran" to her seven grandchildren. There was nothing she loved more than time spent with them. Her home was always filled with crafts, games, fishing poles ready for use, and a freezer stocked with no fewer than five flavors of Blue Bell ice cream. She created a place of warmth, fun, and unconditional love that her grandchildren will carry with them always.

Terri and Bob's retirement years in Bella Vista were especially meaningful. Life on the lake brought new adventures, treasured friendships, and a full social calendar of sunset cruises, happy hours, and their beloved 5:30 dinners.

Terri was preceded in death by her parents, N.B. and Joan Thomas, and her sister, Linda Wilson. She is survived by her brother, David Thomas of Altus, Oklahoma; her devoted husband, Robert "Bob" Skinner of Bella Vista, Arkansas; and her three children: Whittney Stauffer and her husband Joey of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and their children, Meryl and Sam; Grant Skinner of Norman, Oklahoma, and his children, Savannah, Zack, and Thomas, and their mother, Sommer; and Zack Skinner and his wife Angela of Norman, Oklahoma, and their children, Claire and Will. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, as well as dear friends.
Terri will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life will be planned in the coming weeks. The family encourages honoring Terri's memory by making a donation to a favorite charity.