Nancy Ann Skates

Nancy Ann Skates, 76, passed away at home on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after a period of declining health. The daughter of Elisha Brantley Skates and Eunice Thompson Cowart Skates, Nancy was born and raised in Chattanooga with her brothers, Richard Cowart, who predeceased her, and Gene Skates. She became a Christian while active in East Lake Baptist Church. A graduate of East Ridge High School, where she was valedictorian of the Class of 1968, she went on to attend the University of Tennessee on a full National Merit scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Spanish.

After college, she began a long career working in human resources for the federal government. Her work took her from Atlanta to Germany and finally to Washington, D.C. to work in Army Headquarters where she worked on employee relations policy matters for Army civilian employees world-wide. She retired with 35 years of distinguished service in 2005.

In retirement, Nancy moved back to the Chattanooga area to be near her mother. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing and knitting, reading, collecting cookbooks, doing puzzles, and keeping up with classmates. She especially enjoyed time with her family and life-long friend Jill Gamble Prus.

Nancy is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Janet Skates (Kingsport, TN); sister-in-law, Norma Cowart (Nashville, TN); nephews Randy Stone (Fort Oglethorpe, GA), Rick Cowart (Dallas, TX), and Matthew Skates (Nashville, TN); nieces Julie Jones (Little Rock, AR), Susan Chambers (Nolensville, TN), and Jennifer Skates (Washington, D.C.), several great-nieces and nephews, special cousin Perry Skates (Cleveland, TN), and many other cousins and friends. In addition to her parents and half-brother Richard Cowart, she was predeceased by her half-sister, Betty Skates Stone.

Nancy requested to be cremated and to have no service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Nancy’s memory to the UT Office of the Provost for National Merit Scholarships. Donations may be sent to the University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc, 1525 University Avenue, Knoxville TN 37921. Nancy’s desire was that other students would receive the opportunity she was given.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Don Cussom, Darlene Hullander, the Highway 58 Fire Department, and the many talented health care professionals who cared for and supported Nancy. Their dedication and compassion made a significant difference in her last years.