John William Skinner, 73, of 089 Gates Bank Road, Gates, N.C. died Sunday, March 20, 2005 in Roanoke Chowan Hospital. He was a native of Perquimans County, N.C. He was predeceased by his parents, Zebulon Skinner and Fannie Stepner Skinner.

He is survived by his wife, Vergie Skinner; two daughters, Kathryn Hardy of Edenton and Wanda Skinner of Hertford; two sons, Clarence Skinner of Newport News and John W. Skinner Jr. of Tyner; three step-sons, Earl Norfleet of Hertford, Bennie Eure of Suffolk and Ronnie Eure of Newport News; four sisters, Doris McDonald, Katie McDonald and Annie Topping, all of New York, and Harriett Campbell of Florida; one brother, John Henry Skinner of Hertford; and one grandchild.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2005 at Stallings Funeral Chapel, Gatesville, with the Dr. W. M. Sawyer officiating. The burial will be held at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Hertford. Friends may join the family from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stallings Memorial Chapel, Hertford, the family will meet at Stallings Funeral Chapel, Gatesville, at 12:30 p.m. and other times at the home of the deceased.