Skeens Jr., Arnold Wilson

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 The Rev. Arnold Wilson (A.W.) Skeens Jr., 63, of Narrows, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, June 30, 2011, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness. A lifelong resident of Giles County, he was born on October 23, 1947, and was the son of the late Arnold Wilson Skeens Sr. and Texie Turner Skeens. A.W. was employed with Boilermakers Local #45 for 14 years, served as the Chief of Police in Glen Lyn for nine years, and served as the Pastor of Thompson’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Bluefield, W.Va., for nine years. He was a member of Kathleen Memorial United Methodist Church in the Wolf Creek community near Narrows. A loving husband, father and brother, he will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 41 years, Deborah Skeens, of Narrows; a son, Wes Skeens and wife, Hope, of Pembroke; and a brother, Charles Jackson (Jackie) Skeens and wife, Bobbie, of Pearisburg; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many special friends. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, 2011, in the chapel of Riffe’s Funeral Service with the Rev. Dr. John Savage, the Rev. Leon O’Quinn and the Rev. Aubrey Whitlow officiating. Burial will follow in the Boyd Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows on Saturday, July 2, 2011, from 6 to 9 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider either Kathleen Memorial United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice. The family is being served by Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, Va., 540-726-2442.