Dortha Skelton

Dortha Skelton Obituary

On October 22, 1925 Mark and Lois Nash welcomed their baby girl, Dortha Josephine, into this world in Rolfe, Oklahoma. Fourteen months later they welcomed her baby brother, Marcus, whom she loved dearly all of his life. She attended the tiny school in Foster, Oklahoma. In second grade when the new kid, Jack, moved to town she just knew he was the one. They continued through high school together and never really dated anyone else.

One of her fond memories of high school was when she won the blue ribbon at the national 4-H contest in Chicago for the dress she made. She kept the newspaper clipping with the picture of her and her rather handsome escort. She would chuckle when she showed it to anyone and say, “Jack never liked this picture.”

In 1944 she and Jack married in Healdton, Oklahoma. Soon afterward Jack enlisted in the Navy, but thankfully was never deployed. After the war they finished college at East Central in Ada, Oklahoma and moved to Cement, Oklahoma where Jack coached basketball (beating undefeated Cyril) and taught math. Dortha taught home economics and English, and sponsored the senior class. In 1952 Jack Briton Skelton, Jr was born. Soon they moved to Lovington, New Mexico and in 1956 Jackie got his little sister Martha Jean.

In the following years they lived in Tulsa, Stillwater and Alva, Oklahoma where Jack taught high school, college math, and was secondary math coordinator, while Dortha over the years taught almost every grade level in elementary. In 1988 they retired and moved to Ada to be close to Jackie. Over the next fifteen years Dortha said earthly good bye to her mom, dad, brother, Jack and Jackie.

In 2010 she put on her OU cap and moved to Texas to be close to Martha and Todd, her favorite son-in-law. She loved being close to her family and delighted in attending many of Michael’s performances and joyfully welcomed Jaime as her new granddaughter. But her crowning moment came when she held Mara Rose, her only great grandchild. She considered it such a blessing to see Mara growing up and getting to be a part of her life.

Dortha was 96 years old when she passed from this life on September 23, 2022. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and knew God’s faithfulness always. She loved well and was loved by so many. She will be missed by daughter, Martha, Todd, grandson, Michael, his wife, Jaime and the greatest of grands, Mara Rose. We love you Memo.

Celebration in Song followed by refreshments and visitation

October 2, 2022 at 2:00-4:00 P.M.

Legacy Church of Christ

North Richland Hills, Texas

Graveside Birthday Celebration followed by a family meal

October 22, 2022 at 11:00 A.M.

Elmore City Cemetery

Elmore City, Oklahoma

In lieu of flowers please make donations to:

Central Bible Academy, Central Church of Christ in Ada, Oklahoma

Legacy Church of Christ Mission Fund in North Richland Hills Texas or

Foster’s Home for Children in Stephenville, Texas

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Meadowood Assisted Living and Memory Care community and the Love and Care Senior Services for their many selfless acts of kindness above and beyond and loving Memo.