In the small coastal town of Hertford, North Carolina, the late Ulysses A. Skinner and Georgianna Skinner welcomed their eighth child, the Reverend Rudolph Skinner, on April 9th, 1942. In a home bustling with seven brothers and two sisters, Reverend Skinner learned the importance of family, the value of hard work, and above all, the reverential fear of the Lord. Those years would provide a foundational faith, work ethic, and homespun wisdom that he would carry throughout the remainder of his life.

Upon graduating from Perquimans High School in 1960, Reverend Skinner often spent his summer days biking to visit his aunt, Hazel Skinner. It was during one of these visits that he encountered a beautiful girl from New York, Adelaide Harvey, who was visiting her grandmother just a few houses away from his aunt. Though brief, their first meeting was memorable and had a lasting impact on them both.  As family lore goes, Adelaide wrote him a letter upon returning home to New York, and Reverend Skinner would often joke that there must've been something special on that letter, because he soon found himself following his family north to New York. 

The two were finally reunited and soon married on April 13, 1963.  To this union were born four daughters: Chrystal Lynn Turner (née Skinner, deceased), Debbie Skinner, Tammy Skinner, and Kimberly Skinner. After starting his own cleaning company, Rudy's All In One Cleaning Service, he settled the family in Huntington, New York.  Ever the provider, he also held various positions at CW Post College in Brookville, New York, Northrop Grumman in Bethpage, New York, and Breath of Life Corporation in Hauppauge, New York. Notably, he retired from Old First Presbyterian Church in Huntington, New York, where he diligently served twenty years as a trusted and respected sexton.

While still working full-time, Reverend Skinner was also a devoted pastor. After heeding his divine calling, he was formally ordained as a minister in 1986. Three years later, he was installed as the pastor of United Christian Church in Amityville, New York. He selflessly served his congregation and the surrounding Amityville community for over 30 years. Known for his warm, outgoing spirit and tireless energy, Reverend Skinner built lasting relationships with people from all walks of life. Alongside fellow believers, he was committed to sharing the Gospel and serving others in the name of the Lord. He believed that genuine faith is demonstrated through action, and his life reflected that conviction every day. Much like Abraham, whose faith was made complete through his obedience, Reverend Skinner’s faith was evident in the way he loved, served, and cared for others.

When Reverend Skinner was not working or serving, he could always be found tending to his lawn and garden, cooking delectable meals for family and friends, and collecting his beloved antiques.  His front yard was immaculate, his dining table overflowing, and his garage filled with yard sale finds. A titan of the block, he cared for his neighbors as if they were family.  Whether raking leaves or plowing snow, he willingly met whatever need he saw on his street. Though personable and welcoming, he was also fiercely protective and provided an immense sense of security and stability to his home, neighborhood, and community at large. 

Reverend Skinner was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Lee Hayward Skinner, William Isaac Skinner, James Percell Skinner, Ulysses Skinner, Jr., Calvin Skinner, his sister, Helen Lillian Ormond, his grandson-in-law, John R. Hazel, and his daughter, Chrystal Lynn Turner. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Adelaide Skinner, his daughters, Debbie Skinner, Tammy Skinner, and Kimberly Skinner, his grandsons, Sean Sprauve and Justice Skinner, his granddaughters, Renee Hazel and Jennifer Turner, his great-grandchildren, John R. Hazel, II and Jade C. Hazel, his son-in-law, Harold Turner, his sister, Lorraine Skinner, his brothers,Emanuel Skinner and Daniel Skinner, and a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, parishioners, and friends.