Lela Maude Skelton, 101, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Edwardsville, Illinois. Lela was born on May 27, 1921 in Southern Illinois to parents, Berl and Mini (nee Parmley) Jackson.

She would sit on bales of hay and watch the "rich people" go into the night clubs across Collinsville Avenue next to the race track.

Wearing a dress made by her mother from feed sacks from the  stock yards she would be driven to school by her father and dropped off in front of school. But with great embarrassment she was soon scurrying out the back doors of Collinsville Township High School; some times wearing shoes when available.

She grew up in Collinsville and East Saint Louis, and lived in  Alorton, Caseyville, and Collinsville.

During the second world war she inspected 30 caliber ammunition for the correct amount of gunpowder.

In the early 1960s, she broke her finger playing softball with  friends and family, but continued to play "it was my turn to bat."

She spoke of her waitress years at the St. Louis Executive Dining  Room in Famous Barr. The smile on her face when she mentioned the famous people she served, Rosalyn Carter, Jim Palmer and Sophia Loren being among her favorites.

Driving a bus for Collinsville School District was another service she enjoyed. She volunteered at a grade school lunch room at the age of 82.

She was a gracious host at the Caseyville VFW for many years  helping run bingo nights. She would play 21 cards at a time. She was a long time Cardinals fan, watching games on TV until last year.

HUMMINGBIRDS HUMMINGBIRDS HUMMINGBIRDS

Mom was an ACCOMPLISHED seamstress. Designing and making draperies for not only her home, but for others, sewing new covering for small furniture pieces, making clothing for her kids, and doing every kind of needlework were just some of her talents. "I have to keep my hands busy" was her saying even after  age 100.

She loved playing cards with her family and friends. In recent  years, Janel, Gene, Jimmy and Mom had a weekly date to play 500 rummy. Mom was a fierce competitor in the game, coveting the winning of the 25 cents a game prize.

And then there were the years and years of BINGO. BINGO.  BINGO.; with mom being the big winner more than once.

Another of her claims to fame was when she was on the Charlotte  Peters show and won a fan as the prize for knowing the 3 kinds of  hay: Alfalfa, Timothy and Lespedeza.

She was the third oldest of 12 siblings and two half siblings.

But over all the years, the times with family and friends were  always the most important to mom. She was always a kind and  gracious hostess at countless gatherings of family and friends.  She was truly one of a kind. Her story is of a life well-lived over  the decades. We love her and will always remember her in our hearts.

Janel: "She was my card loving sister, we played for so long every Wednesday night."

Carol: "Cards on Saturday night with you, Janell, and Robin was so much fun. It's a memory that I will always cherish."

Robin: "Maude is someone to remember with a loving heart, guiding hand and fond memories. Love, you aunt Maude. You will never be forgotten."

She was preceded in death by her parents, Berl and Mini Jackson; daughter, Burlene Goetz; brothers, Gene, Louis, Thomas, Clarence, Martin, Woodrow "Micky", and Willard Jackson; and sisters, Jane Sheets, Ethel Materka, and Arlene Clark.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Eugene and David Templeman; granddaughters, Elaine Willingham and Erin Templeman; great-grandchildren, Cortnie Willingham, Mistie Hunter, and Tyler Willingham; great-great grandchildren, Jackson, Mearl, Ace, and Hazel; and sisters, Janel Crowe and Carol Cashion.

Services for Lela will be held at Herr Funeral Home, 501 W. Main Street, Collinsville, Illinois, on Friday, May 26, 2023. Visitation will be held from 10:00am - 11:00am, followed by the funeral at 11:00am, and interment in St. John's Cemetery, Collinsville, Illinois immediately after the funeral.