Mary Fredna Skaggs

Longtime Longview resident, Mary Fredna Tosch Skaggs, died at a local hospital on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 of natural causes.

She was 92 years old. Fredna was born July 2, 1914, in Mesquite, Texas, to the late Fred and Sarah Francis Tosch. She attended grade schools in Mesquite and graduated from Forney High School in 1932. She graduated from North Texas Normal College (University of North Texas) with a degree in music education and taught elementary school music in Aledo, Texas. Fredna's love for music and her gift of entertaining others with her music continued until her time of death.

On September 11, 1938 she was united in marriage to John Lewis (Jack) Skaggs and they moved to Longview. She e joyed entertaining family and friends, especially on holidays and special occasions.

She was involved in all school activities with her daughters as they grew up and always welcomed their friends at her home. Fredna was a devoted homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, affectionately known as "Mamy".

Fredna was a member of First Christian Church for over 60 years.

She was a member of the Longview's Women's Forum, Longview Garden Club and Civic Music.

In addition to her parents, Fredna was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and son in law, J. R. Curtis.

Fredna is survived by her daughter and her husband, Sara and Richard Lucas

and her daughter, Sue Curtis of Longview; grandchildren, Tosch Lucas of Tyler, Todd Lucas and his wife, Anne of Weatherford, Susan Lucas Stroud and her husband John of Frisco, Jason Curtis and his wife Janey of Fort Worth, and Elizabeth Ann Curtis Campbell and her husband David of Longview; eight great grandchildren,

Tyler Anne and Miles Lucas, Margaret, Libby and Georgia Curtis, and Grace, Sophie and Luke Stroud.

Pallbearers will be Tosch Lucas, Todd Lucas, Jason Curtis, John Stroud, David Campbell, Dr. Chris Mack, Dr. Andy Mack, Dr. Ben Mack and Edward Crain.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. James Sawyer, Dr. Bill Stephenson and David Farmer.

Funeral services for Mary Fredna Skaggs will be Friday, October 20, 2006 at 10:00 AM at First Christian Church, 720 N. 6th St., in Longview. Dr. Richard Emerson, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Memory Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Thursday evening, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Longview Organ Pipe Fund or to a charity of the donor's choice.

We would like to thank the staff of Country Place Village, Good Shepherd Medical

Center, Select Specialty and Heartsway Hospice for their wonderful care.

A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com