Elsa Judith Skeete

On August 8, 1929 a star was born. Mr. Duncan Williams and Sarah Williams would welcome their second of seven children into the world. Siblings that preceded her were her two brothers Mr. Duncan Williams, and Mr. Edgar Williams. Her sisters were, Mrs. Imogene Christopher, Ms. Icilda Williams, Mrs. Cecilia Dawson, and Mrs. Roma Maitland. Elsa Skeete known by many as “Estrellita,” and was truly a bright and shining star, and everywhere she left her signature.

Elsa Judith Skeete started life in Cristobal, Colon, Panama, where she began her life long passion in the field of education. She earned her Bachelor’s for Teaching Licentura for training teacher’s in Santiago de Veraguas in Panama. Elsa taught on the Atlantic side of Panama where one of the first schools was Uruguay Elementary on 2nd Street. Elsa met her one and true love Mr. Samuel Skeete in Panama and they married and to their union had three children, Samuel T. Skeete Jr., Nilka Skeete, and Doritza Skeete. Elsa and Sam came to the United States in the early 60’s where they started their journey in Salinas, California and later moved to San Jose, California where she earned her Master of Arts Degree in Education (Elementary Education) at San Jose State University, in San Jose California. Elsa taught many years for the Alum Rock School District and retired on June 1991.

It was then after her retirement that she could not stop doing what she loved best, working with children! Here in Pine Hills Florida her life began anew and in 1991 she became the first Principal of Beryl Wisdom Seventh Day Adventist School. Elsa continued teaching at the school and officially retired from Education in 2003. She was a staunch advocate for education and firmly believed in the success of her students.

To her many accolades Elsa holds music at the top, she gave many performances in Panama and all over the United States, West Coast to the East Coast. Mom loved to dress in the finest gowns and gave her all at each of her performances singing old spirituals, opera, and classic religious songs, and this is where she shined the brightest and was known all over the world.

Elsa was a active member of Mount Olive Seventh Day Adventist Church in Apopka, Florida. She loved to give of herself and held many positions in the church where she worked diligently as Sabbath School Superintendent, Family Fellowship Leader, Community Service Helper, Family Life Ministries, Women’s Ministry, and Children’s Ministry and of course singing in the church choir.

Surviving relatives are her daughter Nilka Skeete and Grandsons, Dante’ J. Scott, and Darius J. Scott. Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and a Host of Friends.

On behalf of the family we would to say a “Special Thank You” for your kind words, wishes and prayers of encouragement. May God continue to Bless each one of you.Thank you for being a wonderful friend to mommy!