Wilmuth Skiles

    Wilmuth McCarty Skiles, 91, of Langtry and Midland TX, passed away on Nov. 21, 2022.  
    Wilmuth was born in 1931 in Mertzon, Texas to Tillman and Ruby (Rosser) McCarty and lived her childhood at Mertzon. Following high school graduation, she attended Sul Ross State University where she met Jack Skiles of Langtry. They married on Sept. 1, 1951, in Mertzon. She obtained a B.S. degree in 1952 and a M.A. degree in 1958. 
    As well as raising three children and supporting their many extracurricular activities, Wilmuth worked in schools across west Texas. She began as a school secretary in Rankin, did substitute teaching in Monahans, then taught high school subjects in Paint Rock and Balmorhea. When she and Jack moved to Langtry, she taught in Comstock from 1968 through 1991. She taught many subjects throughout the years and enjoyed being a part of so many students’ lives. 
    While living in Langtry, Wilmuth became a gracious, loving hostess to the many friends and strangers that came to their home to enjoy the unique history and diversity of the area. 
    Wilmuth and Jack enjoyed traveling. She especially enjoyed an adventurous trip completely across Russia in 1993, meeting local people, and staying in their homes. Afterward she compiled a booklet of the trip and wrote in the preface that her motivation was “…to instill a sense of adventure in all of our family.” She was particularly happy when her children, grandchildren, and daughter-in-law could join them on trips to Peru, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Bahamas. She was amazed that a girl from Mertzon, raised in a converted railroad boxcar, had been able to do so many things during her life!
Jack and Wilmuth moved to Midland in 2016.
    Wilmuth was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack in 2020, her parents, four sisters and a brother. 
    She is survived by her daughter Peggy Skiles of Big Spring, son Jack Raymond Skiles Jr. of Alpine, and son Russel Skiles and his wife Diane of Lamesa.  She was so proud of her granddaughter Kimberly, and Kimberly’s husband Nathan Vaughan and their daughters, Lilly and Amelia, of Amanzimtoti, South Africa; and her grandson Aaron and his wife Madison of Lubbock.
    A memorial service for both Wilmuth and Jack has been scheduled for Jan. 14, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the school in Comstock. Memorial donations may be made to Comstock School PTO, P.O. Box 905, Comstock, TX 78837.
– Press-Reporter obituary services