Cordelia Ruth (Madden) Skeen

Cordelia Ruth Skeen, 60 of Purvis, passed away Monday at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 28, 1961 in Hattiesburg, the youngest of five and daughter of William Henry and Cellie Ruthie (Chambliss) Madden. She grew up on the homeplace outside Purvis and was a country girl tomboy from the word go. Cordelia, or "Dill" for short, wasn't a "girly girl". She would rather shorts and a t-shirt over anything frilly, and shoes...forget it. She worked in the garden, tended the cows, pigs and chickens regularly, with whatever else had to be done, knowing that all chores had to be done before any play time was allowed. Dill attended Oak Grove Schools, graduating with the Class of 1980, marrying Henry Skeen, Jr. in March of 1979. They made their home on Skeen Road and have lived there since. Dill was a homemaker mainly, but did work at Walmart for a while before managing the Dollar General in Purvis. She is remembered as someone who never complained. Dill never wanted to burden anyone, even nurses when she was in the hospital. Grandchildren...they were her life, and not just hers either. There are many in the community who called her "Nana" and Dill loved them all. She couldn't have been more happy about all those "grandkids". In her spare time, she fished and crocheted, enjoying traveling whenever she could. Dill was one of a kind and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded by her parents, Henry & Cellie Madden, and two brothers, Joe and J.L. Madden. Left to cherish her memories are: her sweetheart from high school and loving husband of over forty years, Henry T. Skeen, Jr.; their daughter Tabitha Skeen of Purvis and son, Henry, III "Trey-Bob" (Jordan) Skeen of Sumrall; her brother Robert (Deloris) Madden of Purvis and sister Sybil (Dave) Stanton of Cameron, NC. She leaves her legacy of five grandchildren: Quentin & Zaniel Crane, with Tristen, Maverick and LynLee Skeen, along with several nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and all those who knew her as "Nana". The family has set services at Central Baptist Church, 27 Central Church Rd. in Purvis. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Thursday evening, and again at 9:30 AM Friday morning there at the church, with the funeral service to begin at 10:00 AM. Afterward Dill will be laid to rest in the Chambliss Cemetery. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Skeen family in their time of need, asking everyone to keep Mr. Henry and the entire family in your prayers during this trying time.