Donald Lavelle Skains

Donald Lavelle Skains aka “Grandaddy,” was born to Audra Claire Skains and Otis Thorpe Skains on January 13, 1940, and passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on February 23, 2023, in his hometown of Ruston, Louisiana at the age of 83.

His family finds joy in remembering his life: Don met the love of his life, Bernadine Taylor, at a skating rink in Ruston on May 20, 1957, and they have been together ever since. A man of impeccable work ethic, he started out delivering bread and worked his way up in several other companies, before he joined the Brookshire grocery company where he gave over 30 years of dedicated service. After 58 years in the workforce, he retired in 2015. In his free time, he enjoyed NASCAR, tinkering in his shop, and cheering on the LSU tigers. He was probably the biggest LSU fan that ever lived. The only activity that beat out watching the tigers win, was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to tell a funny or outrageous story or share a piece of wisdom. He was a fun-loving, generous, loyal, and Godly man who will be missed immensely. His family finds peace in knowing he is whole again in the Kingdom of Heaven where they will meet again.

He is preceded in death by his parents Audra Claire and Otis Thorpe Skains, his siblings Ronald Skains, Linda Tiffin, and Virginia Shaver. Left to cherish his memory are beloved wife Bernadine Taylor Skains, his son Michael Ryan Skains (and wife Karen) his daughters Donna Kaye Guillot, and Beverly Dianne Slack; his grandchildren Gabriel Lee Paddie, Gregory Scott Paddie, Katherine Marie Yankowsky (and husband Josh), Andrew Michael Skains (and wife Molly), Morgan Noel Webb, Kellen Taylor Skains, and Ryan Conrad Slack; 7 great grandchildren: Elizabeth Paddie, Nicholas Paddie, Christopher Paddie, Isabella Yankowsky, Avery Paddie, London Yankowsky, and Rivers Ann Skains; 3 siblings, Judy Holstead, Ricky Skains, and Debbie Thomas; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Josh Yankowsky, Scott Paddie, Ryan Slack, Gabriel Paddie, Drew Skains, and Randy Holstead.

The Family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Robert Massingill (Oncologist) of Shreveport, who he loved dearly. A special thanks to Dr. Bobby Ensminger, Ashley and staff of St. Francis – Ruston, and the team at Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital that gave him more time with his family and friends.

If you would like to join us in commemorating Don, services are to be held Monday, February 27, 2023 at Temple Baptist Church Chapel (1515 South Service Road West, Ruston, LA) at 11:00 A.M. Officiating will be Dr. Reggie Bridges and Rev. Dale Oden, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. with interment in Douglas Cemetery, Choudrant, LA.

In lieu of flowers the family would be honored by donations to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donate-by-mail-or-phone

Online condolences may be extended to the family at
www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com
Kilpatrick Funeral Home – Ruston

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