Carolyn “Tootie” Cecile Skipper
Carolyn “Tootie” Cecile Skipper, 83, of LaFayette, Georgia, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024.
She was born on Feb. 8, 1941, to the late James Henry and Ovline Skipper. She was a graduate of LaFayette High School and was of the Christian faith. She had a 40-year career with the City of Chattanooga. She went to work as a clerk and in 1977 she was promoted to the Director of Scenic Cities Beautiful. That was the year that Chattanooga was certified as a Keep America Beautiful community. Chattanooga was the first city to be certified in Tennessee. She earned many awards, was on many boards and held several offices such as: National Keep America Beautiful Glad Bag-A-Thon Award, National Keep America Beautiful affiliate “Award of Merit”, TN Department of Transportation State Litter Grant Awards for solid waste education, TN Department of Environment and Conservation Local Government Environmental Stewardship Awards, Founding Member of former Mayor Roberts “Green Team” which initiated the Chattanooga Urban Forestry Program, Board member of the Chattanooga Tree Advisory Commission, Established Scenic Cities Beautiful as an early recycling advocate by promoting and supporting the Warner Park Recycle Center, initiated the first environmental education programming for students at Spangler Farm, coordinated the first community wide Earth Day celebration at the new TN Riverpark. Carolyn was the past treasurer for the Tn Federation of Garden Clubs, Past District III Treasurer for the TN Federation of Garden Clubs, President of the Chattanooga Council of Gardens Clubs, Accredited TFGC Flower Show Individual Award winner in floral designs, artistic crafts and educational exhibits, TN Federation of Garden Clubs Flower Show Achievement Award for a Chattanooga Council of Garden Clubs Flower Show, TN Federation of Garden Clubs Staging Award for a Chattanooga Council of Garden Clubs Flower Show, coordinated the TN Federation of Garden Clubs State President’s project of creating a butterfly garden at the Challenger Center at UTC, annual Chairman of the Hamilton County Fair Flower Show, Supporter of Master Gardener’s Annual Food Bank Garden Tour, and a Supporter of the Hamilton County Soil Conservation District Programs and Projects.
It's difficult to find wonderful enough words to describe Aunt Tootie. She was full of empathy and compassion. Her love and positivity were beacons of light to us all. She didn’t meet a stranger, and she always made time to check in and make sure her loved ones were okay. She will be missed beyond measure.
Carolyn loved the beautification of the city and county and was always trying to come up with new ideas. She was involved in the planting of a lot of trees and seasonal flowers in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. She had the honor to work with Dr. John Huckaba as they created a beautification plan at the exit of M.L. King Blvd off of US Highway 27. They persuaded BCBS to adopt the area for Beautification. Mayor Gene Roberts was the mayor at the time, and he was very supportive of anything Carolyn wanted to do, so she and Dr. Huckaba turned an eyesore into a masterpiece.
Carolyn and her board members worked tirelessly every year to apply for various awards in Nashville, Washington, and New York. They succeeded every year and would go to the state or National events to receive the award they had worked on through the year.
Carolyn was very diligent in applying for all types of grants to make sure SCBC moved forward to be the best.
She was dedicated and committed to the beautification of the city she loved so dearly.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sister, Charlene Gordy; three nieces, Connie Smith, Dixie Wells, Kathy (Sam) Cline, nephew, Tommy (Tresa) Gordy, cousins, great nieces, and nephews; many special friends and wonderful neighbors.
Condolences may be shared with the Skipper family at www.lanesouthcrest.com
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, in the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory Rossville.
The burial will be private.
All arrangements have been made by Lane Funeral Home and Crematory South Crest Chapel in Rossville.