Mildred Sanders Skinner
Mildred “Millie” Sanders Skinner, 99, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 28, 2025, in the Uniontown Hospital. Mildred was born March 4, 1926, the daughter of Malachi Sanders and Willa Bland Sanders in Allison. She was the eldest of 11 children.
Mildred grew up in Penn Craft, which was an intentionally diverse community for coal miners with large families. She began working at the age of 16 for the Penn Craft Knitting Mill, which led to employment with several different sewing and knitting factories throughout her life.
Mildred was a proud Brownsville High School graduate and maintained annual contact with her surviving classmates well into her senior years.
On June 29, 1947, she married James R. Skinner and set up household in Thompson #2, where they remained for over 50 years raising their two sons, Jimmy and Jeffrey.
You didn’t have to be around Mildred long to know that she loved her Lord and that she demonstrated her faith in God. She was a member of the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Cardale nearly all of her adult life and served on the usher board, in the church kitchen, and in various other roles. Millie supported the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association (YWBA), loved gospel music, and was an avid Bible reader.
Mildred maintained an open heart and spirit to all and embraced diversity and inclusion. Her kindness was shared with all through her generosity and her spirit of volunteerism. She participated in the Brownsville PTA and was a member of the Senior Action Council (SAC). In her later years, she attended Senior Life of Uniontown and made new friends and greeted others with her charming smile. She was always delighted when visited by her pastor and church family, as well as her family.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws and several brothers and sisters; and her loving husband, James R. Skinner.
Remaining to cherish Mildred’s memory are her sons: James E. Skinner (Jed D. Johnson) of Frederick, Md. and Jeffrey A. Skinner (Mayra) of Philadelphia; siblings: sisters, Rose Woods of Republic and Evelyn Smith of Warrensville Heights, Ohio; and brother, Michael Sanders (Carol) of Pittsburgh; sisters-in-law, Sarah Sanders of Grindstone, Maxine Sanders of Charleroi, and Roberta Sanders of Uniontown; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives, and friends who loved her dearly.
Friends will be received in the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Filbert Orient Road, Cardale, from 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 1 p.m. Friday, January 9. Interment will immediately follow at LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill.
Professional arrangements are entrusted to LANTZ FUNERAL HOME, INC., 297 E. Main Street, Uniontown.
Condolences and floral tributes may be submitted at www.lantzfh.com