Services for Hilda Skeens

Welcome

Good evening, on behalf of the Skeens family

Thank you for being here tonight as we honor and celebrate the life of Hilda Skeens

Hilda lived a long and full life

Full of many friends, family, love, church, Jesus, and so much more

Your very presence here is a testament to both the impact she had on many

and the void that now exists with her homegoing

Tonight

Tonight there will be friends and family who will come and share fond memories about Hilda

Were going to here some of Hildas own songs

She loved to sing and was gifted with a voice

And a little later, pastor Rich Boll is going to come and share a few scriptures and some remarks

but as we begin will you join me in a word of prayer?

Prayer

Heavenly father, we thank you for the time we have tonight to gather together and remember Hildas life.

We thank you that, though we miss her already, she has left with with wonderful memories and because of this her legacy will live in us.

I thank you that your word promises you are present during times such as this.

You comfort those who mourn and you are near to the broken hearted.

And I ask that you would make your presence known to each of us during this time.

Not only tonight, but as we navigate the coming days and weeks as well.

Saying so long is never easy. No matter the circumstances or length of life.

So I pray tonight you would give us strength to share, encourage us with you word and your love, and help us to navigate this evening as you do so well in the tough times of our lives.

We give this evening to you and ask for your grace and strength as we continue.

In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Obituary

Hilda Rebecca (nee Noel) Skeens, age 85, passed away peacefully on September 05, 2024. She is survived by her son Pastor Scott (Donna) Skeens, granddaughters Megan (Nate) Turner, Rebeka (Matt) Botbyl; great-grandchildren Elias Turner, Alexis Turner, Luke Turner, Olivia Botbyl and another great-grandson will be arriving in November 2024.

She also leaves behind her siblings, Jesse Rex Noel, Grady (Barbara) Noel, Jerry (Pat) Noel, Ralph Noel, Joyce Noel (Ron) Wyatt, Mary Naomi Noel (Jim) Ferrell; sisters-in-law Marilyn Noel, Rose Noel, and Darlene Noel. As well as many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Albert & Tazzie Noel, and her husband of 57 years - Ronald Douglas Skeens, her siblings Charles Lester Noel, Franklin Noel and wife Helen, Thelma Noel Triplett and husband Bill, Betty Noel Slone and husband Carl, Mildred Ruth Noel Barrett and husband Jim, Lawrence Noel, Gerald Noel, Albert Noel Jr., and sister-in-law Carol Noel.

Hilda was born June 11, 1939 in Lincoln County, West Virginia and she grew up on a farm with her brothers and sisters. The family moved to Chapmanville, West Virginia in 1953 where she graduated high school. Sometime later, she met her future husband-Doug and they married in 1960 and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. While beginning their marriage and family there, she cleaned houses, babysat for families, and worked at American Greetings.

Hilda enjoyed and loved being around family, church people, going out to eat and shopping with family and friends. Her favorite food was Chinese, especially at the Dragon Gate restaurant.

Hilda grew up in a strict environment with a strong spiritual heritage which impacted her to faithfully serve the Lord for all her life. Her influence as a spirit-filled Christian and anointed singer that began at a young adult age, would minister in churches, nursing homes, gospel singings, special services, funerals, and prisons. She has been an active member of the Freedom (Cooley Ave) Church of God in Cleveland for 64 years. Hilda was filled with love, joy and contentment because of the peace she found in serving Christ and others.

Her legacy as a woman of God will continue to influence her family, friends, and generations which follow.Pastoral Memories

Pastoral Memories

I’ve had the pirvalige to pastor Hilda for the past seven year.

When we came to Freed she was already in her laster years and living in the nursing home.

Yet she would show up most sundays with brother and sister white, and I thank them for their dedication to go and pick her up regularly for church.

She enjoyed sunday school, and service.

Easy

Hilda, was one of the easiest members Ive ever pastored.

She never complained about anything in the church, at least not to me.

And she was always and encourager.

I would preach, or we would do somthign in the church

and she would always be prepared with encouraging words to share about the message.

Sing

I never had the oppurtunity to hear her sing

Though everyone in the church who had been here for a length of time spoke so highly of her voice and her song

Family

one of the greatest things that always stuck our in our conversation was her love for her family.

She loved here family.

Through the years we had the oppurtunity to have some of her grandkids in for ministry

one perticular sunday a few years ago she asked me if I would have scott come and preach.

and as soon as I had the oppurtunity we did

and then we paid for her to take him out to lunch i believe.

anytime I saw you scott, she knew

and i think in the last year or so that cause us both some confusion..

because she enterpreted some of our encounters that I told her about as you were coming too preach.

regardless

Shes loved her family

and She loved Others.

Missed

Though shes been a smaller part of the church the last few years

she will be greatly missed.

and on behalf of freedom we offer our love and condolences.

but we celebrate that she has run the race well

and obtained the price she saught in hevean all those years.

and because of that.

we will one day celebrate with her again

and well hopefully hear her sing again..

what a day that will be.

Special Music

Thank you mary

As its already been mentioned a few times

hilda was a gifted singer

Pastor Scott was blessed to have a recording of some of her songs.

were going to listen to one know if you would turn your attention to the speakers.

Memories

We have some others that are going to come and share about hilda now.

Joyce Wyatt, Hildas Sister, is coming to share about Hilda.

Pastor Scott

Thank you Joyce

Im going to invite pastor Scott Skeens, Hildas Son to come and share about his mom

Special Music

Thank you scott

Were going to play one more song that hilda recorded.

after that Pastor Rich Boll, who was hildas pastor here under foir 14 years, is going to come and share scriptures and some remarks.