Wilma Skeen

Wilma Lea Skeen went to meet her Lord on February 8 in Tehachapi, CA at the age of 86, losing her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Wilma was born in Paragould, Arkansas, on September 3, 1931 to William Sherman and Myrtle (Taylor) Raney. She made her way to California in 1950, finally settling in Mojave where she called home for 48 years.

Wilma is survived by her children, James Journagan (Bonnie), Wilma King (Jim), Brenda Johnston (George), Chloe Bussiere (Todd Rogers), David Whiteley (Laurie), William Whiteley (Theresa), and Donald Whiteley (Cathy), stepdaughters Colleen Pike and Pamela Heggins; her siblings Wila Mae Lassiter (Jerry), Paul Raney (Linda), Wendell Raney (Bonnie), and Shirley Heider (Don); 14 grandkids and more than 20 great-grandkids, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many others that called her “mom” or “grandma”.

Wilma loved her Lord, her church, and her family. She enjoyed being a housewife, reading her bible, camping and fishing with her family, and crocheting.

Wilma is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Dallas Raney; her husbands, James (Jinx) Journagan, Ralph Whiteley, and Dale Skeen.

Viewing will be held on Friday, February 16 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Halley-Olsen in Lancaster, CA. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, February 17, 10:00 am at the Mojave Cemetery where she will be laid to rest.