| Home Surname List Name Index Sources GEDCOM File Email Us | Tenth Generation8248. Claude Joy "Rusty" Skillman was born on 29 August 1922 in Memphis, Shelby, TN. She died on 18 October 2010 at the age of 88 in Memphis, Shelby, TN. Beloved wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joy Skillman Handwerker, passed into her eternal home on Monday, October 18, 2010, shortly after her 88th birthday. She was born Claude Joy Skillman on August 29, 1922 in Memphis Tennessee to Leila and Fred Skillman and was the youngest of three sisters. She graduated from Humes High School in Memphis, attended Santa Ana Junior College in California, and worked as a bank teller in Memphis before marrying Winston Penn Handwerker II in 1943 with whom she had been elementary school sweethearts. From 1943 to her passing she was a devoted wife to her husband. Joy was known for her leadership contributions to what was formerly St. Luke's Methodist Church, Scouting programs, Cotton Wives, PEO, the Metropolitan Museum, and La Tienda Guild. She graciously used her gift of hospitality for her bridge and book club friends and always welcomed her children's friends into her home. She enjoyed traveling and traveled often with her husband on business trips to Japan, China, Europe, and India. In addition, she traveled with many Smithsonian Institute sponsored Study tours. Her favorite travel experience was cruising and she loved spending time in Coronado. Joy was baptized at Epworth Methodist Church in Memphis, Tn., yet came to express a deeper faith in Christ as Lord and Savior in the 1960's. She served faithfully teaching Sunday School, being a mentor to the college age group at First Presbyterian of Fresno, attending Precept Bible Studies and classes at Fresno Pacific University. She also used her gift of hospitality to host many Christian interns, staff, FCA students, and missionaries in her home and generously supported many organizations she knew to share the Good News that in relationship with Jesus Christ there is new life here on earth and eternal life after death. She lived her last days with great peace that the Lord would welcome her into her heavenly home as His good and faithful servant. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her step-mother, Lydia Skillman; sisters, Jamie Ballew and Louise Kuhns. She is survived by Winston, her husband of almost 68 years; half-sister, Judy Manley of southern California; and children from oldest to youngest, Winston Penn Handwerker III of Connecticut, Joy Lynn Champion of Modesto, and Ellen Handwerker Crooks of Sanger. Also surviving her are ten grandchildren, Mishael Penn Handwerker of Vancouver, Washington, Liesl Anne Elizabeth Nebel of Portland, Layne Ellis Ackerman, Christine Joy Champion, and Winston Eli Champion, all of Modesto, Penn Elys Goodshield and Merry Kate Lowry of Humboldt County. and Nolan, Reed, and Evan Crooks of Sanger; thirteen surviving great-grandchildren live in the Portland, Humboldt, and Modesto areas. In addition, Joy is survived by nephews, Alan Ballew of Knoxville, Tennessee, Charles Kuhns of Mission Viejo; and nieces Duane Mobus of Kuna, Idaho, Patti Le Blanc of Larkspur, and Jamie Joy Kuhns of Fresno. The influence of her honorable life on her family is deeply imprinted on their lives. Viewing will be held at Yost and Webb Funeral Home on Friday, October 22, 2010, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian in Clovis on Monday, October 25, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrance donations to PEO, Joy's much loved Christian sisterhood dedicated to sponsoring continued education for women at PEO Foundation Chapter, NP, c/o Jean Thompson, 7269 N. Pacific, Fresno, Ca. 93711. YOST & WEBB FUNERAL HOME 1002 'T' Street Fresno, Ca. (559)237-4147 www.YostandWebb.com Winston Penn Handwerker II (private). Claude Joy "Rusty" Skillman-58216 and Winston Penn Handwerker II-58217 had the following children:
|