Roland Clarence Skinner

Roland Clarence Skinner was born on February 15, 1942, at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, NY to the late Rosabelle Yancy Skinner and Raleigh Leonard Skinner.  He peacefully departed this life at home on Thursday, August 24, 2023.

He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many and he showed it every day of his life.

In 1966, he married Rudena C. Bowser and they shared a beautiful and loving marriage for over 56 years.  They were always by each other’s side.

From this union, they were blessed with three children: Erika L. Whittle (Larry), Roland S. Skinner (Xiomara), and Jason R. Skinner (Danielle).  They had seven grandchildren: Jordan M. E. Skinner, Jadon W. Skinner, Gabrielle L. Whittle, Noelle C. Whittle, Logan S. Tomko, Elias S. Skinner, and Emmanuel S. Skinner.  They also had three step-grandchildren: Shane, Ryan and Noah Whittle.  Roland referred to all his children as his “Babies.”  He loved his “Babies” very much and talked about them all the time.

Roland grew up in Tuckahoe, NY and later moved to Greenburgh, NY where he attended White Plains H.S. and graduated in 1961.

He accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was a member of three churches during his lifetime: Shiloh Baptist Church, Tuckahoe, NY; Shiloh Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Harlem, NY; and Back Swamp Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Williamston, NC.  During the pandemic and his long illness, Roland was blessed to receive spiritual guidance virtually from Back Swamp Church which gave him encouragement and he enjoyed immensely. 

In April 1964, he joined the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge in March 1970.

Roland was a man of many trades.  He enjoyed many activities and did them all well.  He worked as a welder for many years with his father-in-law, Samuel Bowser, and eventually worked as a custodian at White Plains Public Schools, where he made many friends.

He was very creative.  He loved music, art, cooking, football, fishing, gardening, shopping, science and nature.  He enjoyed his home and spent countless hours improving it, both inside and outside.  He could fix almost anything.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he leaves to cherish his memory: a brother, Reginald L. Skinner, three sisters: Roslyn Washington, Rochelle Thomas (William), Rosalie Paynter (Michael) and a brother-in-law, Brett McCollough (Felicia) and a host of family and friends.

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