Laurene Nichols Skidmore

Our precious mother, Laurene Nichols Skidmore of Beebe, Arkansas (formerly of Piggott, Arkansas), died Tuesday, October 2, 2018 after a short illness. She was 91. Laurene was born to Joe Sr. and Lora Nichols on February 23, 1927. On September 7, 1946, she married Arvin Edwin Skidmore and they settled into farm life in Northeast Arkansas. While living there, two daughters were born, Myra Patricia and Teresa Ann. She was widowed in 2004. The family was active in the Piggott First United Methodist Church. Mother was a member of the Chancel Choir, United Methodist Women, and taught Sunday school classes. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Local Chapter and participated in Rainbows with her oldest daughter. She loved working in her large vegetable and flower gardens which would be true for the rest of her life. In 1967, the family moved to Beebe, Arkansas for a new job opportunity. Mother would live there until her death. In Beebe, she continued to be active in the United Methodist Women and an Order of Eastern Star Chapter, and Beebe School activities with her second daughter. She was a faithful Bible student and dedicated to living a Godly life, always seeking His answers to prayers before taking action. The joys of mother's life were her daughters, grandsons, and great-grandchildren, including a son-in-law and two niece in-laws. Mother would often recount stories about times when her grandsons would visit during the summer and they would see every Star Wars movie produced at that time, go on shopping trips and she even broke up a few squabbles. Every time family or friends visited mother's house it would smell of good food. There was always a refrigerator stuffed full of favorite foods for us to enjoy. Mother was an avid fan of Razorback sports and the St. Louis Cardinals. As mother aged, she stayed healthy enough to live alone in her home—a blessing. When minor health issues would come along, she was never without someone to help. She especially depended on who she loving called her ‘adopted' son, Frank Pusateri and his wife Carrie, who lived nearby. She often said that God had given her the son that she never had. Frank and Carrie stayed involved with her care until the end. In July of this year, mother encountered a disease impossible to recover from. We thank God for giving us such a loving mother and leaving her awesome legacy with us to carry on and give to others. Mother was predeceased by her husband, Arvin Edwin Skidmore, parents Joe Sr. and Lora Lewis Nichols, sisters: Imogene "Jean" Hammett, Beth Somers, and Charlene Beckstead, brothers: Jack Nichols, Herschel Nichols, and Joe Nichols, Jr. Mother is survived by a brother, Jim Nichols (Betty) of Piggott, Arkansas; daughters, Myra Patricia Cobb (Jim) of Rolla, Missouri, Teresa Ann Skidmore of Maumelle, Arkansas, ‘Adopted Son', Frank Pusateri (Carrie) of Ward, Arkansas; grandsons: James Edwin "Jim" Cobb (Sherri) of Peculiar, Missouri, Jason Daniel Cobb (Cherie Beth) of Crystal City, Missouri; great-grandchildren: Kristopher Lee Cobb and Catyln James Cobb of Peculiar, Missouri, and Brianna Lillie Cobb of Crystal City, Missouri, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Special thanks and recognition to Dr. Benjamin Carlyle, M. D. (Unity Medical Center), Dr. Neal Wyatt, D. O. (Arkansas Palliative Care), Shari Wells, APRN (Arkansas Palliative Care), and Dr. Scott Simmons (Robinson Nursing and Rehab). Arkansas Hospice team: Dr. Raul Ramirez, M.D., Vicky McElwrath, RN, Candance Coy, RN, Lora Hale, LMSW, Ken Stogsdill, Chaplain, hospice aides, and companion caregiver, Mary Tillman. Memorials may be sent to: Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116, Beebe First United Church, 302 North Main Street, Beebe, Arkansas 72012, or Piggott First United Methodist Church, 188 North 3rd Avenue, Piggott, Arkansas 72454. Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Smith Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Service and internment is 2:00 p.m. October 9, 2018 at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.smithfamilycares.com.