Dr. Mary Angela Skelton

Click here to view the Funeral Service Webcast for Dr. Skelton.

Dr. Mary Angela Skelton, age 80, of McEwen, Tennessee, passed away peacefully, Monday, July 1, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loving family and friends. 

 Dr. Skelton was born May 19, 1944, in Zanesville, Ohio, to James W. Skelton and Florence Lee Skelton. She was one of their two children, the other being her brother, James W. Skelton, Jr. of Houston, Texas.

 Dr. Angela Skelton graduated from Bishop Rosecrans High School in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1962, and then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Premed from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona in 1966. She was accepted in the medical school of St. Louis University and graduated with her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1970.

She fulfilled her internship requirements in Portland, Oregon, and did her residency at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. She began her medical practice as a neonatologist in Nashville, where she became famous for her treatment of newborn babies who were born prematurely or had severe medical problems. Several newspaper articles were written about the many helicopter trips she made to the countryside to save the lives of babies who were in danger of dying. While there, Dr. Angela Skelton orchestrated the development of the emergency pediatric ambulance, Angel One, that was named for her. The ambulance enabled Vanderbilt to go out in surrounding rural areas around Davidson County to attend to newborns that needed extensive treatment.

Ultimately, Dr. Angela decided to set up her own practice as a Pediatrician in Waverly, Tennessee, where she diligently and tirelessly took care of children of all ages in the region. Parents consistently mentioned that she always seemed to be running behind schedule, but stated it was worth the wait because Dr. Angela was so kind to the children and very thorough in her approach. The most important thing to her was the health and well-being of her patients and their families. She maintained that practice in Waverly for over 44 years, but terribly missed caring for and helping the children after she retired.

Dr. Angela leaves a legacy as a conscientious physician who was dedicated to serving the community and helping improve the overall health of the children in the region. She was always focused on the welfare of her patients and didn’t think about herself. She did what she believed was best for the children’s health even if it meant working long hours and losing lots of sleep.

One of her other interests were her pets, cats, dogs, goats, and donkeys, which she kept close when at home. You could usually find her sitting in a chair with either a cat or dog in her lap.

Rosary Service will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 175 St. Patrick Street, McEwen, Tennessee. Funeral Mass will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Father Zack Kirangu officiating.

Interment will follow in Bethpage Cemetery in McEwen, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dr. Mary Angela Skelton's memory to: childrenshospitalvanderbilt.org

Survivors:

Brother: 

 Jim Skelton (Merrilyn) of Houston, TX

Nephew:

 Matt Skelton of Houston, TX

 Friend of 40+ years: 

 Janice Oliphant of McEwen, TN

 Godchildren:

 Chris, Josh, Jimmy, Patrick, and Scott McCoy

 Preceded in death by:

Parents: James and Florence Skelton

Arrangements by Humphreys County Funeral Home (931) 296-5955