Malcolm Caver Skinner

1925 - 2018

Malcolm Caver Skinner passed away May 16, 2018 at age 92. He was born October 13, 1925, to Mary Oslin and Louis Irvin Skinner. His two brothers, Robert and Irvin, preceded him in death. He attended Athens High School and the University of Georgia. He was proud to have served in the United States Navy in WW2 aboard destroyer, USS Fletcher, as a sonar-man second class.

Malcolm was a man of great love, dedication and commitment as seen in his marriage to Margy, whom he fell in love with when he was 12 when she moved next door and married in 1948, in his life-long involvement with church, and in his dedication to the insurance and loan industry, at which he worked faithfully until his final months. If his was "the greatest generation," then Malcolm was its poster boy. He was a meticulous man of integrity, character and faithfulness who never met a stranger. He was warm and had a gentle humor and a great love for telling stories, of which he was overflowing and could keep going long into the night. He loved life and lived it fully, just as he loved all living creatures, and did his best to help them live fully as well, whether that meant serving his fellow man or looking out for crows, stray cats and lost dogs-no one or thing was beyond the reach of his kindness.

One of the places he most joyed to shower people with love and grace was through the church. Countless people over the decades have been welcomed into the doors of First Baptist Church, Athens, by the warmly outstretched, grace-giving arms of Malcolm Skinner. Whether greeting incoming worshippers through the vestibule or sanctuary doors, assisting funeral attendees through foyer doors, serving festively-dressed senior adults behind Valentine Banquet Fellowship Hall doors, or welcoming Adult III Sunday school assembly members as they gathered on Sunday mornings, Malcolm was there. His genuine embrace and firm handshake encompassed both his love for the church and the depth of his faith. From the water in which he was baptized as a child, to the path of Christ he chose to follow as an adult, Malcolm lived his life honorably and purposefully, all while showering grace upon our heads, he was the gentlemen of hospitality. He was the keeper of our doors.

The family particularly wishes to thank his caretakers: Annie Sims, Cynthia Sims, Janice Gresham, Betty Elders, for the love, compassion and companionship they gave to Malcolm (and previously Margy) in these final years.

A service will be held Monday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Athens, with the family receiving friends immediately afterwards in the Branyon Foyer.

In lieu of flowers, please designate memorials to First Baptist Church Foundation, a foundation which Malcolm helped to establish. He was quite proud to know that many were able to go to seminary and pursue their calling in ministry because of this foundation and would be pleased to know that his death gave life to more who would dedicate their lives to the church.

"The church is, above all, a place to receive grace." Philip Yancy

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com