Skaggs, Mary Fredna Tosch

Mary Fredna Tosch Skaggs, longtime Longview resident, died of natural 
causes at a local hospital on Wednesday, October 18, 2006. She was 92 
years old. Fredna was born July 2, 1914, in Mesquite, to Fred and Sarah 
Francis Tosch, who preceded her in death. She attended grade schools in 
Mesquite and graduated from Forney High School in 1932. She graduated 
from North Texas Normal College (University of North Texas) with a degree 
in music education and taught elementary school music in Aledo. Fredna's 
love for music and her gift of entertaining others with her music 
continued until her time of death. On September 11, 1938, she was united 
in marriage to John Lewis "Jack" Skaggs, and they moved to Longview. She 
enjoyed entertaining family and friends, especially on holidays and 
special occasions. She was involved in all school activities with her 
daughters as they grew up and always welcomed their friends at her home. 
Fredna was a devoted homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and 
great-grandmother, affectionately known as "Mamy." Fredna was a member of 
First Christian Church for more than 60 years. She was a member of the 
Longview's Women's Forum, Longview Garden Club, and Civic Music. In 
addition to her parents, Fredna was preceded in death by her husband, 
Jack; and son-in-law, J.R. Curtis. Fredna is survived by her daughter 
and her husband, Sara and Richard Lucas; and her daughter, Sue Curtis 
of Longview; grandchildren, Tosch Lucas of Tyler, Todd Lucas and his wife, 
Anne, of Weatherford, Susan Lucas Stroud and her husband, John, of Frisco, 
Jason Curtis and his wife, Janey, of Fort Worth, and Elizabeth Ann Curtis 
Campbell and her husband, David, of Longview; and eight great-grandchildren, 
Tyler Anne and Miles Lucas, Margaret, Libby, and Georgia Curtis, and Grace, 
Sophie, and Luke Stroud. Pallbearers will be Tosch Lucas, Todd Lucas, Jason 
Curtis, John Stroud, David Campbell, Dr. Chris Mack, Dr. Andy Mack, Dr. Ben 
Mack, and Edward Crain. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. James Sawyer, Dr. 
Bill Stephenson, and David Farmer. Funeral services for Mary Fredna Skaggs 
will be 10 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2006, at First Christian Church at 720 
North Sixth Street in Longview. Dr. Richard Emerson, pastor, will officiate. 
Burial will be in Memory Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction 
of Rader Funeral Home. We would like to thank the staff of Country Place 
Village, Good Shepherd Medical Center, Select Specialty, and Heart'sWay 
Hospice for their wonderful care. Memorial contributions may be made to the 
First Christian Church of Longview Organ Pipe Fund or to a charity of the 
donor's choice. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday evening, 
October 19, 2006, at the funeral home. A memorial guestbook may be signed 
online at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 10/19/2006.