Edith Leming Skinrood


A Legacy of Meeting "Some Needs"
EDITH LEMING SKINROOD had the
looks of a movie star and the
disposition of an angel. When she
died on January 27, 2007 at the age
of 93, she also left behind a legacy
that will make a lasting difference
for United Methodist students in the
Holston Conference through a
scholarship endowment created in
the Foundation through her will.
Edith was the daughter born to
Reverend William Henry Leming
and Zelma Paralee Ogle Leming.
According to cousin, Bobby Mize
(Broadway UMC, Maryville) they
spent many happy Ogle family
reunions gathered at the Leming
home at various locations of the
Methodist parsonages. According
to Bob, "Edith was one of the
prettiest, sweetest, kindest, and
loving ladies I have ever known.
Edith was always a studious person
with a flair for art and poetry. She
graduated from Hiwassee College in
1933. She taught school for a few
years before taking a position as the
assistant to Program Director at
the Knoxville YMCA. As World
War II began, she worked with
the YMCA's USO and Red Cross
program providing social programs
and activities for service men and
women on leave near their bases.
After the war, Edith worked at
Oak Ridge where she met her first
husband, Milton Kleintop. They
married in 1954 and moved to
Ohio where he became a professor
at Whittenburg University. It was
at Whittenburg where Edith
continued her education and
received her bachelor's degree.
Following Milton's death in 1972,
she met Col. Floyd Pratt and they
married in 1977. It was a short
marriage as he died in 1979. Even
though she mourned the deaths of
her husbands, she continued on
with her life and interests. In 1983,
she met Col. Norman Skinrood
and they dated long distance
before marrying. According to
granddaughter, Taylor Skinrood,
they were soulmates. Norman and
Edith moved to Azalea Trace in
Florida and spent many happy years
together traveling, sightseeing, and
visiting with family and friends
before he passed away in 1993.
Despite her own aches and pains,
Edith continued like the Energizer
bunny through an active lifestyle
with family and friends before her
own passing in 2007. She was 'til
the end a lady! Bob Mize officiated
at a celebration of life service held
at Macedonia UMC in Knoxville.
During her lifetime, Edith loved
culture, art, poetry, and many
of the finer things in life, but
she never forgot her roots and
upbringing in Tennessee. In her
will she created scholarships at
Whittenburg College, West Point,
and one in the Holston Conference
Foundation that will benefit United
Methodists students at Hiwassee
College, as long as it remains in
operation and is affiliated with the

Although Edith never had children of her own, she is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, stepchildren, and step grandchildren who she loved and who loved her. Nieces, Carolyn Chrisman and Karen Graves, served as coexecutors of her estate and helped to follow through on her final wishes to help young people receive an education as part of her lasting legacy.
by Edith Leming Skinrood
To make me glad Requires not much; The new of morning And your touch; Spring trees against the sky Like lace; And sometimes rain Upon my face; Enough of work To earn my keep, And sleep thereafter Quiet and deep.
Charitable Gift Annuity
A charitable gift annuity is a great way you can make a gift to our organization and benefit. You transfer your cash or property to our organization and we promise to make fixed payments to you for life at a rate based on your age.