Ruby Nell Wall

CHESAPEAKE- Ruby Nell Baxley Skipper Wall died peacefully in her home in her sleep on Saturday, March 18, 2023, just two weeks shy of her 88th birthday. Nell was born on April 4, 1935 in Marion South Carolina, the daughter of Lee Roy Baxley and Emma Liza Ammons Baxley.

She graduated from Centenary High School. She attended the University of South Carolina for two years with her future husband, Robert Milton Wall. Nell pinned on his Ensign Bars when he graduated in 1958 with a BSME and Commission in the U.S. Navy. They were married on June 11, 1958 in Marion, SC.

Nell lived in several different states, as her husband was moved during his three years on active duty. When he transferred to the Naval Reserve, they moved to Florence, SC, where he worked for DuPont for three years. They moved to Midland, Michigan where he worked for Dow Chemical Co. Their only daughter, Catherine Maryann, was born there. By the time Cathy was five years old, they were all active with snow skiing.

After nine years in Michigan, Nell, Robert and Cathy moved to Calhoun, GA when he was transferred to the Dow plant in GA. Nell was active in the Girl Scouts with Cathy, while Robert was there for four years. She moved to Medina, Ohio pulling a small boat they bought in Michigan, when Robert (Bob) was transferred to a Dow facility in Ohio.

Getting tired of cold weather, they moved to Chesapeake, VA when Robert took early retirement from Dow, and got a job as an engineer with NNSY in Portsmouth. Nell and Robert built/contracted a house in Stonebridge Landing, where they have lived for the past 41 years. Their daughter Cathy attended Western Branch High School, and played sax in the band, until her sudden death from cancer while she was a senior. Cathy graduated posthumously.

Nell had the opportunity to visit many states and countries with her husband: from skiing in Colorado and Pennsylvania, to sightseeing in France, Scotland, Holland, Denmark, England, the Netherlands, and Austria, while visiting with her son, Lonnie Skipper and his family when he was stationed with the Army in Germany.

Nell's hobbies included gardening, flower arranging, and boating with Robert. They were members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 30 years. Nell was a "Master Gardener" and a member of the Green Meadow Point Garden Club. For many years she was in charge of flowers and arrangement at Calvary Baptist Church in Portsmouth, where they were members since 2004.

Nell is survived by her husband of 65 years; son Lonnie and his wife Shelly and their daughter Stephanie.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Mar. 23, from 6-7 PM at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, Mar. 24, at 11 AM at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the family plot at Rose Hill Cemetery, Marion, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 2117 Glasgow St., Portsmouth 23704. www.SturtevantFH.com