Carol O Skipper

If you knew her, she loved you. If you spent any time with Carol Skipper, then you were likely fed when you visited. You were likely asked “How are you?” with genuine interest and no judgement found in her eyes. And you were likely covered in prayer after you left. This love emanated from Jesus within her. She would want you to remember that earthy treasures are nothing, and that Jesus’ presence is the true treasure. We are truly blessed to have had Mom in our lives. Her fierce love for her family, her gracious hospitality and a legacy of forgiveness and sacrifice are inspiring examples for all of us to follow. She was a poet and her verse focused on faith and Bible knowledge.

Carol was born in 1931 on an army base in El Paso, TX to parents Dan C. Ogle, a military doctor, and Helen G. Ogle, a nurse. She grew up on Army bases in Texas, Illinois (twice, which must have been one of her favorite places, having referred to it in a letter as “dear Chanute Field,”) also Pearl Harbor, Hawaii before the war, Florida, Alabama, and Arkansas.

From Duke University Carol obtained an R.N. nursing degree back in the days when nurses wore little white hats. The profession of nursing would continue to be a deep rooted, constant theme in her life whether it was serving in hospitals and doctor’s offices, patching childhood scrapes, and cuts, having medical discussions at the dinner table, and even requiring that beds be made up to strict military and hospital standards. She worked as a nurse at Duke Hospital, Tarpon Springs Hospital, Mound Park Hospital (Bayfront) in St. Petersburg, the private practice offices of Drs Carrier & Norenberg, and with Dr. William Reed in Tampa.

Later in life, while living in an elder care center she would often default into thinking the nursing home was a hospital and she was still working as a nurse. She would wheel her chair around the room taking everyone’s pulse.

Married life began after graduation with a wedding in Duke Chapel to Douglas Montgomery. Over the next few years, they moved several times and had three children. Sadly, Douglas developed a serious illness, and Carol became a single working mom with three young children under the age of seven. She and the children moved to St. Petersburg, FL to be closer to her parents.

While working in a doctor’s office there she met Stan Skipper who also happened to be single with three kids. With this in common they married and began the challenging adventure of blending two families.

In 1969 Stan’s job with the bank took them to Tarpon Springs, FL. It was there they became Christians. This important decision led them to a rich life of faith that they boldly loved to share with everyone.

When Stan became president of SunBank of Tampa Bay they moved to Tampa. There they shared their home with an “open-door” hospitality for others in need. Despite life’s challenges and tragedies (including the loss of a son), their perseverance in faith created a strong bond and an ever-increasing faith. Her greatest desire would be for those reading this obituary to believe and accept Christ as their Savior. We are grateful and proud of the example she set for all of us.

Cherishing her memory are her loving husband J. Stanley Skipper, children Dan G. Montgomery (Rhonda), Virginia Montgomery Gause (Garrett), Susie Skipper Kari (Bob), Holly Skipper Ferguson, Joseph S. Skipper, Jr. (Carol), and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Carol was predeceased by her first husband Douglas, her son David and brother Jim Ogle.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 26th at 2:00 PM at the Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa, FL 33610. Online condolences may be made at:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12838380