Skip Carney

Skip Carney
ROCKY MOUNT - Skip stood on the end of a long pier just as the sun was setting.
'What a magnificent time of day,' he thought, splashes of red, orange, and pink reflected off the gentle waves of the bay. Before him was the most incredible sailboat he had ever seen in all his years on the water. A figure stood at the top of the gangway.
"Permission to come aboard?" Skip asked.
"Permission granted, Sailor."
Skip climbed aboard, marveling at the magnificence of the ship.
"Welcome aboard, Skipper. I am Captain Jehovah. We've been expecting you, and we put together a special gathering in your honor before we set sail."
"What about the crew I've left behind? My wife Karen, my daughters Jessica, Kathryn, and Spencer, and all of our family and friends?" he asked.
"They miss you, and they're sad to see you go. But I'm going to take care of them, just like I took care of you all your life and during all your hardest moments.
They're going to have a celebration of your life, with all of your favorite people, playing your favorite music, talking about the amazing things you accomplished in your life. They're going to carry on your legacy - and what a legacy it is!"
"I just tried to follow what my mother told me - can't never could do nothing."
"Skip, you accomplished so much, and made such a positive impact on so many lives - more than you could ever realize. You fulfilled the mission you gave yourself, that you lived to serve and to Be the Light for others."
"That makes me so happy. I did my best to live for you, Jesus."
"I know you did. Now, it's time to set sail - there's a whole crew of friends and family who've been waiting for you. I'll even let you drive, since it's a special occasion."
"This whole thing is unbelievable. It's almost like I died and went to heaven!" Skip said.
"You have indeed," the captain said. "You have indeed."
Skip lived an amazing life, from April 1, 1953 to July 30, 2025. In heaven waiting for him are his parents, Earl Burton Carney, Sr. (Alice) and Mary Kathryn Kerr (Albert), alongside many beloved friends and family. His legacy is continued through his wife, Karen, their three daughters Jessica (Kevin), Kathryn (Otto), and Spencer Grace, and his grandchildren, Ian, Ava, Evelyn, and Audrey. He ran his own business, CarneyCo, for over 46 years. He loved to sail, and to take friends and family out on the water, to share his happy place. Skip was heavily involved in the community and did his best to make it better every day. He was so much more than the words on this page could cover, but to know him was to know how full of joy and light and love he was for everyone he met.
Skip Carney was the catalyst for building churches in Honduras through the C12/ICM partnership, with a goal to have a church within walking distance of every human in that country. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for all contributions to go to complete this mission in Honduras. You can contribute through the following link: https://secure.ncfgiving.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0U0H00000ZORZqUAP or send a check to 99 Old Oyster Point Rd., Newport News, VA 23602