Carol “Carrie” Ann Skidmore (nee Knazur) was born on August 26, 1943, in Hammond, Indiana to John and Eleanor Knazur. After graduating high school in Hammond, she attended Indiana University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in education. Carol met her husband, Marvin Green “Russ” Skidmore, while in college and were happily married for 60 years until his passing in November 2024.
After completing their education at Indiana University, Carol began her teaching career at Beech Grove Middle School for eight years, while having daughters Aschele “Shelley” in 1965 and Janelle in 1970. A summer vacation to Dauphin Island, Alabama convinced Russ and Carol to move to Alabama. Carol initially began teaching at St. Mary’s Catholic School in midtown Mobile and later across the street at McGill-Toolen High School for twelve years. Shortly after Shelley graduated high school, Russ and Carol found a house to call home in Fairhope, Alabama.
Carol took her gift of teaching with love to Fairhope High School for the next 18 years, but after retiring from the public school system, returned to St. Mary’s for her opportunity to teach Spanish to her grandchildren Addison and Adele Baucom.
Carol was a life-long devout Catholic and an active member of Christ the King Church in Daphne where she was involved in many callings of the church. Her many passions were following her grandchildren’s sport teams, knitting, and needlepointing Christmas stockings for each family member. Carol set an example for her family, with running when she was younger and swimming and workouts when older.
Carol loved to travel, with France and Spain among her favorite destinations. She rarely missed seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren perform in all their sports or activities. Her enthusiasm for every moment had a profound effect on her students and her family, inspiring everyone she met with her joy and passion. She was always there with a kind word or a bit of wisdom to help anyone she met, never judging but always encouraging.
Carol is preceded in death by her father, John Knazur; her mother, Eleanor Knazur; her brother, David Knazur; and her loving and devoted husband, Marvin Green “Russ” Skidmore.
Carol is survived by her sister, Donna Lewandowski of Hammond, IN; brother, Johnny Knazur of Hammond, IN; daughters, Ashele “Shelley” (Bob) Key of Ashford, AL, and Janelle (Mike) Baucom of Mobile, AL; grandchildren, Alisa (Doug) Noonan of Daphne, AL, Matthew (Amy) Key of Headland, AL; Addison Baucom, Adele Baucom and Andrew Baucom of Mobile, AL; and great-grandchildren, Colin Noonan and Claire Noonan of Daphne, AL, and Sophia Key of Headland, AL.
Flowers are welcome or for those who wish to make a memorial contribution, please consider 2B Choices Pregnancy and Parenting at Catholic Social Services https://catholicsocialservices.org/donate-to-2b
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Daphne, AL. There will be a time of visitation beginning at 9AM, followed by the Mass at 11AM. Interment will follow at Fairhope Colony Cemetery.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
I loved Mrs. Skidmore! I enjoyed teaching at St Mary’s with her! We often exchanged recipes. I ran into her at a mass at Christ the King a few years ago. She was always so happy and such a kind loving person!
Mrs. Skidmore was my teacher at McGill… she was an absolute angel! I loved her! I ran into her in the grocery store years later and she was just as sweet and loving! I’m very sorry for your loss! 🩷🙏🏼😘
We all have a handful of teachers that profoundly shaped who we became as adults, and Señora Skidmore was one of mine. While I may have been labeled “boca grande” more than a few times in her classes, she instilled a deep love of other cultures, of travel, of language and music and the beauty of the world around us. She spent many afternoons in the hallways of FHS with her Spanish dance team and I still have my flamenco skirt.
She came to my daughter’s baby shower and brought a handmade flamenco blanket, and it’s one of my most favorite possessions.
Hasta luego, Sra.
Senora Skidmore was a wonderful friend and co-worker to my mom! She was also one of my very favorite teachers! She was such a special lady that left a big impression on everyone she taught!
I taught with Carol at McGill-Toolen in the 1980’s. She was very professional and students loved her. We became friends for the rest of her life. May she rest in peace. Ida Connolly
A lot of childhood memories with my Aunt, and Uncle…..both back with one another. Remember my Dad always asking her to make him lemon meringue pie, lol. I love you Auntie Carrie.
She was such an inspiration for me! I found my love of Spanish language and culture through her and always bring her up when my students ask why I became a Spanish teacher ❤️ What an amazing example she was for me and my classmates!
I will never ever forget the legacy and life Señora Skidmore lived. I had her all three years of Spanish 1,2, and 3. She was the kind of teacher who really cared. She would sit us down as a class at the beginning of the year and tell us how she wanted to see us grow and learn but more importantly, she wanted us to know she was there for us. I vividly remember her sharing a story during this begging of the year sit down about a student she had at the beginning of her career and how he committed suicide. She never ever wanted anyone to feel like they had no way out. She proceeded to give us her personal cell phone (this was NOT the norm back in the day) and told us to call her if we need her.
I used to act such a fool in her class and she would let me be the class clown. It was truly my favorite class over those 3 years. She took me home after Spanish Club meetings many times before I could drive and we would have heart to hearts. She wanted the best for me and for everyone she taught. I love you, Señora. May you rest in heavenly peace ❤️
For the love of a family member and a best friend I will Miss Carrie and remember all the best memories we had. We will never forget you! Hold Rusty in your arms in heaven. You were a great person.
Senora Skidmore was such an amazing teacher. She was my teacher for Spanish and probably one of my most favorite teachers in highschool. When I went on my cruise to the Bahamas I made sure to bring her back a gift that’s how much I just appreciated her as a teacher. She cared about so many especially her students. She helped me to enjoy school. She will be dearly missed, she is and was such a beautiful kind soul.
One of my favorite teachers! She once collected hundreds of Auburn cups after a football game to bring back and give out to her students, as long as they said, “¡Águila de guerra!” What a selfless, lovely lady! 🩷
Senora Skidmore was a precious lady who definitely walked in her calling… she made learning so much fun for so many and truly cared about her students.
Praying for comfort for her family.
What an amazing woman! I wish I had known her……what an inspiration!🌺
I was lucky enough to commute from Fairhope to McGill with Carol. .We met Russ and Carol at Little Flower Church. I knew right away we would be good friends. Glad Rachel learned Spanish with Carol’s guidance. Carol drove to my father’s funeral in Mobile, after teaching school most of the day.. Will never forget that! She was really kind to
my two kids, too! Glad I wrote her a thank you note before Russ passed away.My family has many good memories of Carol , and Russ! Sending love and prayers to Janelle, Shelley, and her family.
One of my all-time favorite co-workers, Carol was perpetually sunny and sweet. We had a lunch group together for our final years at FHS and we continued to meet for lunch after retirement. She loved her students and her work with a passion rarely seen these days. To her family: I am so very sorry you have lost your beautiful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I hope your memories of her will eventually replace the sorrow and grief.
Carol was a wonderful person . She was an inspiration to us all. Carol lived her Faith . May she rest in peace.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Jo Anne Keller
FHS colleague
CTK friend