Theophilus S. Skinner

Theophilus S. Skinner “Opal” was born on December 15, 1938 in Montevallo, Alabama into the loving arms of her parents, the late A.G. and Maggie Smelley. She was number four out of seven children. Opal attended Prentice High School and graduated in 1956. Opal had two daughters, Joetta in June of 1956 and later Cynthia in February in 1958; both in Alabama. Opal lived and worked along the east coast in New York and Massachusetts to provide for her daughters; often returning to Alabama. In the fall 1972, Opal moved from Alabama to Calumet City, Illinois with Joetta. Her journey soon took her to North Chicago, IL where she worked at St Therese Hospital in Waukegan, IL. Upon resigning at St. Therese, Opal began working at the V.A. Hospital in North Chicago, IL and the Anne Kiley Center in Waukegan, IL until she retired in 1998. During her latter working years, Opal’s life was filled with delight when Joetta married in 1983 at which Opal inherited a son-in-law, the late Willis H. Payne, Jr. In April 1984, Opal was in bliss with the arrival of her first grandchild, a boy; William B. Payne. Three years later the arrival of her second grandchild, a girl; Ashley R. Payne gave her elation. Yet, it wasn’t until May 2006 that Opal’s life was complete with the birth of her great-grandson, Wesley B. Payne. Opal was a very attentive and nurturing grandmother. She would stop at nothing to grant whatever her grandchildren asked of her.

After her retirement from the V.A Hospital and Anne Kiley Center; Opal enjoyed crocheting, manicures, cutting out recipes, cooking, and spending quality time with her family. On December 11, 2015 Opal departed this life surrounded by her loving family. She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Joetta S. Payne of Waukegan, IL and Cynthia D. Davis, of Great Lakes, IL; a grandson William (Desiree) Payne of Hammond, LA; a granddaughter Ashley R. Payne of Waukegan, IL and her great-grandson Wesley B. Payne also of Hammond, LA. One brother, Charlie Smelley of Villa Rica, GA; one sister Barbara Ann (Percy) Turner of Gurnee, IL; and one sister in law Peggy Moore-Smelley of Racine, WI; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends including her caregiver Hilary Sumerset of Waukegan, IL.

Opal was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Smelley, brother Clifton Smelley, and three sisters Elizabeth (George) Hicks, Daisy (Wayman) Vasser, and Dottie (Rufus) Gilmore.

Acknowledgements

So many have supported and journeyed with our family during the illness and homecoming of our beloved Mother. For all of these, our family joins together to say thank you.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Davita Dialysis Center, Pace Bus Company, Dr. and Mrs. Oscar Giron, Dr. Ky Lin, American Home Care Express and the nursing staff at Vista East Hospital for your kindness and gestures of love is direct extension of God’s love. We want to recognize the value of the hundreds of messages on Facebook, emails and phone calls that have touched our entire family over the last week. Each one represents caring hearts from all over and friends old and new.