Kathleen Spelling Skaggs

Kathleen Spelling Skaggs, 96, continued her journey to her heavenly home Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. She was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and frequently attended services with the Dalton Baptist Church family. Born in London, England, Kathleen was one of seven children of Charles and Julia (Horne) Spelling. Kathleen completed her formal schooling and began working for Lloyds Bank in London as the Battle of Britain began. At 17 years of age, Kathleen obtained permission from her father and joined the Royal Air Force. She served as a wireless operator in England during World War II.

In August 1945, she married an American airman, A.L. "Buster" Skaggs Jr. from Nortonville who was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp. Kathleen arrived in the U.S. in 1946 on a war bride ship where Buster met her upon arrival in New York City. Kathleen began her great traveling adventure with Buster as he continued his military career in the Air Force with his new bride. They lived on various Air Force bases in the continental U.S., Alaska, Scotland  and  England, and along the  way  their family grew to five children.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1960, they moved to Daniel Boone Road near Nortonville where they built their family home near Buster’s parents. When Buster returned to WKU to obtain his college degree, Kathleen, with their five young children, met the challenges of country living. Kathleen began her work in Hopkins County as the beloved school secretary at South Hopkins High School for 20 years serving with many principals including her husband for several months prior to his death in 1971.

Following her retirement from the school system, Kathleen was never idle in work or life. She relocated to Florida for many years enjoying her love of the ocean and beach prior to returning to Hopkins County permanently in 2012. Kathleen enjoyed her volunteer time at RMC (Baptist Health Madisonville) in the gift shop, her church family at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and her school system family of teachers, staff and students alike. Her circle of family and friends was far and wide, spanning continents. Her favorite mantra in life was “Go, go, go.” Kathleen, as the last of her Spelling and Skaggs generation, always met her life challenges with her optimism, wit and British sense of humor. “You will be missed by so many.”

Kathleen is survived by her children, Julia (Paul) Currivan of Flagstaff, Arizona, Lee (Peggy) Skaggs of Columbia, Maryland, Charles (Becky) Skaggs of Madisonville, Mike (Michelle) Skaggs of Ankara, Turkey, and Pam (Dave) Dykema of Dalton. Her grandchildren include Lisa (Sean) Harbaugh of Ellicott, Maryland, Matt (Meghan) Skaggs of Columbia, Jenny (Jonny) Bylsma of Catonsville, Maryland, Katie (Kanav) Kashyap of Evansville, Ben Skaggs of Madisonville, Sara (Porter) Allred of Las Vegas, Michael Skaggs Jr. of Oxford, Connecticut, Justin Skaggs of Dothan, Alabama; Alexandra and Isabella Skaggs of Ankara, Devyn Dykema of Dalton and Dan Dykema of Morganfield. Kathleen also is survived by 12 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 163 N. Main St., Madisonville, KY 42431 or St. Vincent de Paul store, 101 E. Arch St., Madisonville, KY 42431.

Memorial service will be held at Bandy Funeral Home on Monday, December 10, at 5:00 P.M. with Bro. Dennis Mayfield officiating.  Visitation will begin at 3:00 P.M. 

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