Janet Skeen, 84, of Winfield went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Although she spent the last several years of her life bedridden due to muscular dystrophy, her faith in the Lord never wavered. She faithfully studied her Bible each day and found great comfort in God’s promises.
Born on January 29, 1942, Janet was the daughter of the late Clarence and Druzella King. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Lee, Reba, Jewell, Paul, David, and Randy King; her first husband, Kenneth W. Rucker; and her second husband, Ben Skeen.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Curtis (Dee) Rucker of Max Meadows, Virginia, and Kenny Rucker of Winfield, who lovingly cared for his mother for many years with unwavering patience, kindness, and devotion. She is also survived by her three granddaughters, Kaylyn, Peyton, and Lilly Anne and her grand dog Harley.
Also surviving are her stepchildren, Pat Skeen of Cross Lanes, Jerry Skeen of South Charleston, David Skeen of New Martinsville, Ron Skeen of Parkersburg, Lynette Summerfield of Cross Lanes, and Rick Skeen of Vienna; her sisters, Jenny Westfall of Leesville, South Carolina, Ruth Gossett of Forest Hill, Maryland, Mary Sue Owen of Nitro, and Pat Sisk of Poca; three special nieces, Cora Jean, Dawna Lee, and Helen; one nephew, Charles Allen; and a host of additional nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Janet was a 1959 graduate of Nitro High School and a 1960 graduate of the Charleston School of Commerce. She worked as a secretary for several organizations throughout her career, including the Putnam County Board of Education, Teachers Credit Union, Monsanto, and the Federal Highway Administration. She was also a member of Alpha Iota Business Sorority, Beta Omicron Chapter.
Janet attended Riverside Baptist Church in Red House and Teays Valley Baptist Church in Hurricane and later worshipped online with Church of the Open Door. She loved reading, playing Scrabble, spending Sunday afternoons visiting with family, and above all, serving and loving the Lord.
The family finds comfort in knowing Janet’s faith has become sight and that she is now at peace in the presence of her Savior.
A tribute to the life of Janet will be 12:00 PM Saturday July 18, 2026, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Chuck Sisk, Michael Hanna, and Pete Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
