Martha Skipper

Martha Mitchell Skipper of Hoover, AL passed away peacefully on June 22, 2022 surrounded by family, following a short illness. Ms. Skipper was born January 30, 1921 in St. Nicholas, Greece.

At the age of 14 she moved with her family from Greece to Clinton, South Carolina. The epitome of the American dream, they arrived in the US with little more than their clothing and with a relentless work ethic as well as appreciation for the value a dollar, they were soon owners of a successful restaurant. Hard work, excellence and a focus on maximizing her potential were modeled for her from a young age.

With a combination of intelligence, determination, grit and values instilled in her by her hard working family, she far surpassed what was expected of a female immigrant at the time. Having no opportunity for assistance, she taught herself English and in spite of the language barrier, graduated high school with honors. She attended Presbyterian College in SC where she earned a BA in language arts, with a concentration in Spanish and French.

After getting married to Norman L Britt, they moved to Columbia, SC. It was there that she and her husband started a family that grew to include 3 sons and a daughter. Following a decline in her husband’s health they made the decision to move to Mobile, AL where they were close to her parents and other family. During her time in Mobile she met and married her second husband John "Skip" Skipper. It was there that she shared her gifts for languages as well as teaching with countless students during her long career in the Mobile County school system. It was also during her time in Mobile that she developed a love for both interior decorating and landscape and prided herself on always having an impeccable yard and home.

In 1990 she and her husband moved to Hoover, AL. This move was also to be closer to family, as she believed in the value of putting family first. She soon found Hunter Street Baptist Church where she enjoyed spending time with her Sunday school class and developed a deeper connection with her Savior. She spent time studying the Bible, became an avid ballroom dancer, and loved helping her beloved neighbors with her landscaping expertise. A firm believer in continual self improvement and lifelong learning, she was always “brushing up” on her language skills and tutored the Birmingham medical community in Spanish medical terminology until she “retired” in her early 90’s. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, exercising and all things aimed at improving her health and longevity. Her hard work paid off as she was still planting her own vegetable garden well into her 90’s and she reached her goal of living independently as a centenarian.

Contributing to her longevity were her strength of spirit, fortitude and determination. She was a true inspiration to all who had the privilege of getting to know her.
Ms. Skipper is preceded in death by her parents George and Catherine Mitchell, husband John “Skip” Skipper, and sister Mary Theodore. She is survived by her children George Britt, Sonja Britt Jones, Ray (Ginger) Britt, and Nicholas Britt; Grandchildren Melissa (Larry) Muehleisen, Pamela “Meme” (Eric) Scott, Jason (Jenn) Britt, Catherine Britt, and Laura (Walker) Williams; mother of grandchildren Sylvia Britt; and great-grandchildren Rylie, Jayden, Emma, Lily, Marshall, Beau and Britt.

Visitation for Ms Skipper will be Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 10:00 am at the chapel of Hunter Street Baptist Church with a celebration of her life following at 11:00 am. Flowers can be sent to Currie-Jefferson Memorial funeral home in Hoover.

“Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believe that in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this?”
John 11: 25-26
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Romans 8: 38-39
“The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit”
Psalm 34:18
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge”
Proverbs 18:15