Joseph Robert Skeen

Our Lord and Savior called our Patriarch Joseph Robert Skeen, aged 95 ½, home on June 20, 2014. We are certain that his beloved wife, Myrtle Adeline Hudnall Skeen, who went ahead of him in 2007 to help prepare their heavenly home, greeted him at the gates. Joe, or Pappaw as we called him, was born to the union of Parlin Elmer Skeen and Ruby Elizabeth Armstrong Skeen on December 2, 1918 in Blount County, Tennessee. He was preceeded in death by his brothers: Ed Skeen and Ralph Skeen. His sister, Sue Ogle, resides in Washington. His mother died when he was a mere 3 weeks old from the Flu Epidemic of 1918. He was raised by his 3 aunts, Flossie, Maude, and Grace, who loved him as their own and spoiled him rotten. His father, Parlin, passed away in 1963. 
He spent his youth and graduated from Lanier High School, Maryville, Tennessee in 1937. He worked at S. H. Kress, Miller’s Inc., and Alcoa Aluminum before joining the Army in December of 1940. He was stationed at Camp Beauregard, in Pineville Louisiana. He served in World War II in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He attained the rank of Sergeant Major, the highest rank an enlisted person can achieve in the United States Army. While serving in the Army he met a feisty girl from Nebo, Louisiana on a blind date September 3, 1943. She stole his heart and they were married in Alexandria, Louisiana on February 14, 1944. After getting married he was transferred to Illinois, where they stayed a short time. He was soon deployed overseas. He left a pregnant wife and returned stateside to meet his 8-month-old son, James Robert Skeen, or “Jimmy”, for the first time in September 1945. He was discharged from the Army on October 10, 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star July, 1945 for meritorious service in connection with military operations. 
After his discharge from the Army, he took his beloved Myrt and Jimmy up to Maryville, Tennessee, where they lived briefly until his father-in-law talked him into returning to Louisiana. He went to work for Central State Life Insurance Company in 1946 and made their home in Monroe, Louisiana. He and Myrt were blessed with a second son, Jack Edward Skeen, in August 1955. He worked for Central State Life Insurance from 1946 until he retired in 1982 as the District Manager. 
Joe and Myrt lived a long and happy life. He leaves to miss their daily visits and many phone calls, his 2 sons and special daughter-in-laws, Jimmy and Ila Skeen and Jack and Theresa Skeen. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren and their spouses, who he loved beyond words: Traci Skeen Jordan and Steve, Bobby and Candice Skeen, Jay and Jennifer Skeen, and Jessica Skeen Brouillette and Matt. He also had 4 precious great grandchildren whom he adored and loved to visit with: Cade and Cody Jordan and Josie and Jase Skeen. He also inherited 3 sweet step great grandchildren: Natasha and Madeline Jordan, and Tyler Freeland. 
Although he considered Louisiana home, he remained a die-hard University of Tennessee fan. He loved watching Tennessee Vols sports on TV and attended many football games at Neyland Stadium. His favorite colors were orange and white and he wore them proudly in a state full of purple and gold. We will miss him dearly but we know he saw the face of Jesus and danced with our Mammaw early Friday morning. We give thanks to God for giving us a father and grandfather as special as he was and for allowing him to live a long and relatively healthy life in which we will cherish the many happy memories and lessons of love he instilled in each of us. He was a true southern gentleman in every sense of the word. He loved God, country and family. 
Mammaw, I promised you I would take care of him for you, but I know he was weary and was ready to go home. Rest in peace my sweet Pappaw, until we meet again in Heaven. 
Services celebrating the life of Mr. Joseph R. Skeen, will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday June 22, 2014 at the Lea Joyner United Methodist Church in Monroe, LA with Rev. Betty Swanson and Rev. Joe Solomon officiating. Interment will be in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe, LA under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe, LA. 
The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Saturday at Mulhearn Funeral Home.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com 
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road
Monroe, LA

Visitation
5-7 PM Saturday, June 21, 2014
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road, Monroe

Services 
2 PM Sunday, June 22, 2014 
Lea Joyner United Methodist Church 
Monroe, LA