Lyra Pounds Skinner

Mrs. Lyra Pounds Skinner passed away peacefully at her home on August 9, 2025, at the age of 97. She ran her spiritual race with humility, grace and determination and has received her Heavenly reward. There is no doubt she was welcomed into Heaven by her Savior and greeted with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

The family will receive friends Saturday, August 16th, 2025 from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bellefounte Baptist Church in Cleveland, with the service to follow at 1p.m. with the Rev. Lake Walker officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Skinner was born on May 29, 1928, in Cleburne County, Alabama and was one of five children born to Spencer and Era Hart Pounds. She was a member of Bellefounte Baptist Church where she served faithfully for almost sixty years. During that time, she taught Sunday School from preschool to adults. She was known as a prayer warrior. As a resident of Bradley County for more than seven decades, she retired from Bradley County School System in 1990.

She counted her children as her greatest accomplishment and her grandchildren were a source of joy. She was gifted with a green thumb and brought life to all that she touched. Anyone who entered her home was received with open arms. She had the sweetest servant’s heart and genuinely lived out her faith by example. She was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman and exuded the Fruits of the Spirit. Her faith was evident in her words and actions. If you had the privilege of being loved by her, you were loved well. She taught her children and grandchildren to be kind and compassionate and the many traits she instilled in her family will be cherished for generations.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Vernon Skinner, her parents, Spencer and Era Hart Pounds, and her siblings Nelson Pounds, Dura Carter, Bernice Whitman and L.D. Pounds.

She is survived by her children Terry Skinner (Carolyn) of Cleveland, TN, Janet Davis of Cleveland, TN, Jennifer Phillips of Cleveland, TN, Karen Skinner of Knoxville, TN, and Melinda Tripp of Cleveland, TN. She was treasured by her eight grandchildren, Brent Douglas, Kellye Fryar, Ryan Davis, Amanda Trew, Whitney Russell, Andrew Merriman, Lindsay Fox and Zackery Tripp, fourteen great-grandchildren and was fortunate to live long enough to welcome a great-great-grandchild. Mrs. Skinner had numerous nieces and nephews who claimed her as their second mother.

Special thanks to Hearth Hospice for their care and love, especially Jane Bartolo and Brandy Kelly.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Davis, Andrew Merriman, Zackery Tripp, Mike Fryar, Kevin Fryar and Steve Pettyjohn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund of Bellefounte Baptist Church in Cleveland.