God gave us a little piece of sunshine and a gust of wind from a hurricane when Betty Ann was born, on February 15, 1928. Her parents, Homer L. and Nina O. Skinner welcomed their sweet girl into their hearts along with her brothers Homer, Donny, Robert, and Jerry. She was the perfect addition to the family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Homer and Nina Skinner, her brothers Homer and Robert Skinner, her granddaughter Allie Cianciola, her great-grandson Anthony Federico, her son-in-law Greg Paule, as well as, all of the sweet angel babies awaiting her in heaven.
The story of Mom-Mom truly begins with G-Dad. He was and always will be the love of her life. As her husband, Dr. Robert Joseph Trautman, SR., will forever cherish their love and all it brought them in the 74 years they spent together. Their children Dr. Robert J. Trautman (Barbara) Dorothy Paule (Greg deceased), Carol Neel (Tony), Nina Signaigo (Stephen), Teresa Wallace (Rob), Andy Trautman (Susan), and Diane Ondra (Todd) will now be in charge of coordinating family meals, upholding holiday traditions, and saving her a seat at Folk’s Folly. Their grandchildren Lucas (Kristin), Ben, Gregory (Amy), Ryan (Bethany), Ross (Laurie), Grant (Annice), Jerome (Brittly), Laura (Trey), Elizabeth, Stephen (Amber), Julianne (Nathan), Nicholas (Lindsey), Adam (Lindsey), Matthew, Emily(Tony), Katie (Pat), Megan (Patrick), Caleb (Lendi), Jessica (Will), T.J., Heidi (James), and Brady (Deni) now have the honor of spreading as much spunky attitude as possible while sipping their white wine spritzer or RC Cola on the rocks. Their great-grandchildren Myra, Leia, Maddie, Walker, Gracie, Sophie, Ava, Mason, Jorden, Emma, Rossi, Elly, Emmy, Evie, Gunnar, Caroline, Mary, Mae, Grayson, Annalise, Jacob, Ali, Anna Kate, Riley, Trey, Scarlett, Jack, Brooklyn, Luke, Halle, Nicholas, William, Gianna, Silas, Daniel, Juliana, Gus, Lainey, Addie, Thomas, Mason, Daisy, Fiona, Luke, Greer Tom, Shelby, Mack and Ace and the 50th great grandson arriving in July will all have the amazing honor to say they will love life like Mom-Mom.
Their sons and daughters from birth and marriage will now be in charge of placing the bets on the right horse, keeping the pralines warm, and always having an answer ready. Their grandchildren and their spouses will make sure to take as many pictures as possible, to keep important dates marked on their calendars, and the music loud for line dancing. Her brothers Donny and Jerry(Rosalie) will carry on her joyful spirit and loving heart.
Betty Ann was a champion swimmer and tennis player. She loved to brag about defeating players on the Ohio University Men’s Tennis Team. She was training for the summer Olympics of 1944 in swimming, but it was canceled due to World War II. Betty Ann had every intention of becoming a nun and serving the Lord for a lifetime, up until she reunited with her love, Bob. In 1932, Bob and Betty’s fathers were both doctors stationed at the United States Public Health Service Hospital in New Orleans and they began living next door to each other from the age of 3 to 7. Betty stole Bob’s heart from an early age, where she would throw mud balls at him daily. Her care taker, Emma, was quick to tell Betty to watch her tongue, because she was going to marry that boy someday. In 1946, Bob and Betty’s paths crossed again, when their dads were both stationed together, this time in Staten Island, New York. Bob and Betty’s love story was that of a fairy tale. They married August 2, 1947 and began the journey of parenthood. They spent 23 years of cheering on horses at the Kentucky Derby and she was the best at betting on the winner.
Mom-Mom was one of a kind. She knew what she wanted and never let anything get in the way of accomplishing those goals. She greeted everyone with a kind smile and a sweet “hey sugar” before you were met with her warm embrace. On most days, you could find Mom-Mom mixing up her favorite recipes in the kitchen, tending to her flowers in her beloved yard, or whispering her rosary at the kitchen table. As a mother of 7, grandmother of 23, and great-grandmother of 49, she met with Jesus quite often in prayer. We’re reminded of Joshua in the book of Exodus 33:11, “And God spoke to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua, son of Nun, did not leave the tent.” The tent was known to everyone as Moses’ meeting place with God. A place they would discuss God’s kingdom and review his commands. A sacred place, a place that Joshua couldn’t bear to leave. Moses is most recognized, but Joshua should be the most treasured. We envision Mom-Mom’s time with Jesus like that of Joshua. Just to be near his presence, she would visit with him continually. Not expecting or demanding anything, just basking in his glory. Everyone else would stray or flounder in their faith, but Mom-Mom always stayed in tent. Seeking his wisdom and guidance, not only for herself, but always for her family. We will all treasure the moments we had with Mom-Mom and will find comfort by creating new adventures and memories in her honor.
The family will receive friends at The Church of the Incarnation, 360 Bray Station Rd., Collierville, TN 38017 on Thursday, May 6 from 10 AM to 11 AM with the Funeral Mass celebrating her Life to begin at 11 AM.
A committal service will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
