Wilma Beakes Skarda

Wilma Marguerite Beakes Skarda
December 23, 1922 -
November 18, 2025
Wilma Marguerite Beakes Skarda, 102, a lifelong artist, world traveler, and devout Christian, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, just one month shy of her 103rd birthday.
Wilma was born on December 23, 1922, to William and Marguerite Beakes in Springfield, Ohio, where she grew up alongside her four siblings. She graduated from Springfield High School and went on to attend Wittenberg College on scholarship, where she graduated cum laude and was inducted into the Phi Sigma Iota honor society. She later earned a Master of Education, completing postgraduate work at the University of Chicago and Georgia State University. Wilma spent twenty years working in Educational Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Wilma experienced many adventures throughout her long life, often accompanied by her siblings, traveling extensively across the Americas and abroad. A self-taught artist, she spent many hours with her sister Mary Lynch honing her talents at the Quinlan Art Center, developing a deep love for oil painting and watercolors.
Family was important to Wilma, and she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. After moving in with her daughter Kathy at age 96, rarely a day passed when she wasn't surrounded by her great-grandchildren. Later in life, Wilma rediscovered her passion for bridge. She loved her bridge groups and played every chance she got. Even past 100, she had a fiery competitive spirit and loved to win.
Wilma was a dedicated Christian. Her early years in Gainesville were spent at Grace Episcopal Church and then later at First United Methodist. She was active in the Yoke Fellowship Group, Aglow International, and Camp Farthest Out. She also served as a Girl Scout leader for several years and was the first president of Lanier Women's club.
Wilma is survived by her sons Jeff Skarda (Patricia) of Gainesville and Clay Skarda (Val) of Bristol, TN; daughters Kathy Carter of Gainesville and Laura Kelly (Bill) of Beaufort, SC; her sister Ginny Diehl of Brevard, NC; grandchildren Jeremy Skarda, Chad Carter, Chris Carter, Katie Dwozan of Gainesville, Sharona Weiss of Jerusalem, Israel, and Kara Skarda of Chiang Rae, Thailand; and ten beautiful great-grandchildren who brought her much joy.
A celebration of Wilma's life will be held with family on what would have been her 103rd birthday.