Laura Beth Skeen

Laura Beth (Brownfield) Skeen was born on September 24, 1953 in Lubbock Texas, the second daughter of Kenneth and Ernees Brownfield. She was welcomed into this world by her parents and her big sister, Becki. It was Becki who led Laura to make a profession of faith in Jesus when Laura was 7 years old. She was baptized at Arnett Benson Baptist Church in Lubbock and has been a faithful follower of Christ for 65 years. Laura prayed for a baby brother and when she was 6 ½ years old, brother Larry joined the family. Laura and Larry became partners in mischief, much of it directed at their big sister. While a junior at Lubbock High School, Laura was introduced to Mike Skeen, by her good friend Debbie Skeen (Perkey) who happened to be Mike's sister. Laura was a 16-year-old junior and Mike was a 15 year old sophomore, and the claim was made that Mike liked to hang out with Laura because she was old enough to drive. Nevertheless, they have been hanging out together for 56 years now. They dated for 7 years, all through high school and all through college before finally getting married in the summer of 1977. This July would have been 49 years of marriage. They have always been best friends, partners in ministry and partners in life. Education was always important to Laura and her family. Her grandfather, grandmother, and mother were all educators, so it was natural for Laura to follow that tradition. At age 14 she believed that God had called her to work with the deaf and she never waivered from that call. After graduating from Texas Tech with a bachelor's degree in Deaf Education, Laura began her teaching career in 1976 by starting the Deaf Education Program for Kerrville I.S.D. There she taught deaf and hard of hearing children for 15 years, then went back to school at night at Sul Ross University and received her master's degree in education leadership and special education law. She then spent another 12 years as a Special Education administrator in Kerrville I.S.D. In 2003 Laura and Mike moved back to Lubbock where Laura worked for 6 years as Coordinator of the Regional Deaf Program in Lubbock I.S.D., then spent another 7 years at Region 17 Education Service Center as coordinator for the Deaf Education Certification Program and coordinator of the Student Support Service Team. She retired in 2016 after 40 years in education, fulfilling her call as a 14-year-old. Laura and Mike raised their family in Kerrville Texas, where they were active members in Trinity Baptist Church for 26 years. Aimee Elizabeth, the firstborn, came home from the hospital on her parents' fourth wedding anniversary and her brother Bryan was born 3 years later. Being their mother and seeing them both come to know the Lord were two of Laura's greatest joys in life and being Lolly to their kids was not far behind in the joy department. After moving back to Lubbock in 2003 Mike and Laura joined Calvary Baptist Church and quickly became involved with the Newly Married - Engaged - and Dating Seriously (NEDS) Sunday School group in which they have served and taught since 2005. Their passion for marriage and belief that God called them to serve in ministry together led them to many opportunities to serve in marriage ministry. In addition to their once a month lessons on biblical marriage, they have served as certified marriage mentors for "Prepare to Last" and " Save Your Marriage Before it Starts" (SYMBIS) pre-marital training programs. They have also been blessed to visit with other couples about really enjoying marriage. Laura was not only active in her church, but in the community as well. She was a regular volunteer at Sparrow's Nest in Jayton as well as a regular volunteer at Ragtown Gospel Theater in Post. She recently learned to crochet and became part of a crochet - Bible study - prayer group. She also participated in a community Bible Study in our neighborhood. Laura did not meet any strangers, making an impact on everyone she met. Friends, family, doctors, nurses and neighbors all became part of her prayer circle as she made an impact on everyone. She will be greatly missed but the difference she made in the lives or others will live on. Mike describes Laura with this simple verse of scripture: Proverbs 31:29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Laura is survived by: Husband - Michael of Lubbock, Tx Daughter - Aimee Dowgar (Adam) of Wolfforth, Tx. Son - Bryan Skeen (Kendi) of Plano Tx. Grandchildren - Colton James and Charlee Beth Dowgar, Gemma Rose Skeen Sister - Rebecca Bryant (Ron) of Raleigh, N.C. Brother - Larry Brownfield (Carla) of Leander, Tx. Nephews - Christopher Bryant, Mark Youngblood, Matthew Brownfield, Anthony Ryan Skeen Nieces - Erin Brownfield, Emily Skeen Sister-in-Law - Debbie Perkey (Don) of Wolfforth, Tx. Aunt - Martha Lucas Uncle - John Deering (Dana) Numerous cousins Calvary Baptist Church family and countless friends If Laura has hugged you, you've been adopted as "family." Just know that we don't pay for college or weddings. Preceded in death by: Parents: Kenneth and Ernees Brownfield Parents -in-law: Donald and Johnnnie Skeen Brother-in-law: Tony Skeen Nieces: Andrea Beth (Youngblood) Powers Laura Doty (Bryant) Eagan

Laura Beth Skeen

September 24, 1953 - May 16, 2026