AILEEN SKINNER

Aileen (James) Skinner passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026, in Waldorf, Maryland, at the age of 100. Aileen was born on November 30, 1925, in Sebastian, Florida, during a hurricane at the home of her parents, Roy and Maggie Mae (Hall) James. Her parents were early residents in Sebastian, and her father was a Purple Heart recipient from injuries suffered in the trenches of WWI.

Aileen graduated in 1943 from Vero Beach High School, where she met her future husband Robert Skinner, the son of Phil and Chassie (Howard) Skinner, members of an early Vero Beach pioneer family. Aileen graduated in 1947, cum laude from Florida State University in Tallahassee with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree specializing in English and Library Science. She and Robert were married in 1948, following his WWII service in the US Army Air Corps where he trained as a B-25 pilot. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida.

Aileen was honored to be a member of what is now considered "The Greatest Generation." She vividly recalled the Great Depression and shared stories about her life growing up in Sebastian, an early fishing and citrus community. Aileen watched the building and operation of the U.S. Naval Air Station at Vero Beach during WWII and was part or a war-time society that learned to deal with fear, service, and life supporting a nation at war. When the U.S. Coast Guard built civilian lookout towers in Vero Beach, she volunteered as a "spotter" and learned to identify enemy aircraft and submarines. Aileen was very proud of her Florida native status and loved telling stories to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren about her early life in Sebastian and Vero Beach.

Aileen and Robert raised two daughters, Carol and Janet, and they lived in Gainesville, Sanford, Coral Gables, Vero Beach, and Ft. Pierce, Florida. She was a veracious reader and extremely passionate about literacy education serving many years as a public-school librarian in Levi and St. Lucie Counties. Aileen was a member of the First Baptist Church in Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce where she taught Sunday School, bible study, and established libraries in those churches. Aileen's legacy to her family and friends is her strong Christian faith, her strength facing life's challenges, advocacy for women, literacy, and dedication to her family. She treasured each member of her immediate and extended family and was proud of their many talents and accomplishments.

Preceded in death by her parents and husband, Aileen is survived by her sisters, Erma James Womble and Mary Lou James Brown. She is also survived by her daughters, Carol Skinner Hepler (Ernie) and Janet Skinner Thomas-Oslin (Dave); grandchildren: David Hepler, Lisa Hepler Starkey, Amanda Hepler-Butson (Joel), Jon Thomas (Marlene), Laura Thomas England (Tim), Stephanie Oslin; and great-grandchildren: Nicolas Starkey, Jason Starkey, Aaron Hepler, Seth England, Luke England, Charles Butson, Joshua Butson, Finneus Butson, Alexander Butson, Derrick Thomas and Alyssa Thomas. Aileen's family is very appreciative of the companionship and loving care provided by Mary Tadesse.

Services and a celebration of Aileen's long life will be held at 11a.m. on March 9, 2026, at the First Baptist Church, Vero Beach, Florida. Visitation at the church will begin at 10a.m. After the service, friends and family are invited to share a meal and celebrate Aileen's life at the church's Family Life Center. Interment will follow the Celebration of Life at Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach. Arrangements are being coordinated by Raymond Funeral Home in La Plata, MD and Strunk Funeral Home 916 17th St. Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772-562-2325). Online condolences can be made at www.strunkfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church or Women's Refuge of Vero Beach or Literacy Services of Indian River County.