Thursday, August 25, 2016 9:32 am

John "Preston" Skipper, age 79, of Ellenboro, NC, passed away on August 17, 2016.

Born on Monday, May 24, 1937 in Polk County, he was a son of the late Garner Skipper and Bernice Wilson Skipper. He worked for Milliken Mills and Schneider Mills for many years and retired from Manual Woodworkers. He was a faithful member of Victory Baptist Church of Ellenboro. Preston enjoyed singing southern gospel music and was a member of the Peniel Quartet and the Anchormen Quartet. He also enjoyed his bird dogs and beagles and was a member of the Beagle Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Emma Lou Ford and Adalena Fowler and brother, Junior Skipper.

Survivors include his wife of twenty years, Vivian Dobbins Skipper; two sons, Larry Skipper of Wilkesboro, NC and Barry Skipper and wife, Mitzi of Bethlehem, NC; daughter, Kathy Silver and husband, Vance of Ellenboro; two step-sons, Rodney Murray and wife, Donna of the Hopewell Community and Tracy Murray of Ellenboro; one brother, Ray Skipper of Columbus, NC; three sisters, Mildred McDaniel and husband, Rebeurn of Mount Airy, NC, Joyce Dedmond of Columbus and Sue Toney of Statesville, NC. He is also survived by four grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one step-great-great-grandchild.

A funeral service was conducted at Victory Baptist Church with Reverend Johnny McCarty officiating. Interment followed the service at Big Level Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.