Julia Mae Bell Skinner-Houston, age 83, passed from this life on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at approximately 9:30 p.m. at Lost Creek Center in Lima.

She was born in Eufaula, Alabama on February 14, 1935 to Lela Battle-Dillard and Edgar James; both parents preceded her in death.

Mrs. Skinner-Houston was united in holy matrimony to Henry Skinner who passed in October 1969, she then married Henry Houston who passed in 2001.

She retired from Ford Motor Company.  She was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the kitchen committee, mother board and sang in the church choir where she served as president.  She was also a member of the singing group the Eden Singers where she lead the son "Up above my head".  She was a member of the N.A.A.C.P, U.A.W. #1219 and Southside Neighborhood Association.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory, a son; Kwanz M. Obu of Columbus, OH.  3 daughters; Barbae R. Skinner-Avery (Neil Ingram) of Bedford Heights, OH.  Beverly D. Skinner of Lima and Angula Erkkila-Skinner (Tanya) of Minnetonka, Minn.  2 stepdaughters; Inez Houston of Toledo, OH and Lydia Houston (Ernest) of Lima. 2 stepsons; Brodrick Houston (Shirley) of  Napoleon, OH and Eric  Houston of California.  8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren and 4 step-great grandchildren.  3 great-great grandchildren.  4 sisters; Mattie Jones, Lessie Long both of Lima.  Fay  Bass  and Suzie Pugh  of Columbus, GA.  Special niece; Maxine Dillard.   Special daughters; Elaine Watkins, Vida Powell and Tanya Motley.  A host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by a brother; Virgil Battle.  Stepfather; Levi Dillard, 1 stepson; Rodrick Arnold Houston, stillborn grandson, and a bother-in-law; Tom Jones.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Curtis, Jr., officiating.

Visitation/Wake will be held on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Jones-Clark Funeral Home, Inc. from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Interment:  Woodlawn Cemetery

Services entrusted to: JONES-CLARK FUNERAL HOME, INC.