Elder Etrulia Smith Skelton, 86, widow of Reverend Lonnie Ellihue Skelton, Jr. and daughter of the late Lester Smith and Ella Lee Burriss Smith, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at AnMed Health Medical Center.

Elder Skelton was the founder of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church where she pastored for thirty-six years and from her ministry came many ministers and churches.

Elder Skelton was preceded in death by her husband, parents; six brothers, Lester Smith, Wallace Smith, Howard Smith, Clarence Smith, Alvin Smith, Robert "Bobby" Smith, and Ernest O'Neal Smith; three sisters, Beatrice Paul, Helen Martin, and Ella Mattison; and one grandson, Maurauder Mahdi.

Elder Skelton leaves behind to cherish fond memories, two sons Donnie Ray (Tracy) Skelton, of Columbia, SC  and Johnnie Ray (Charlene) Skelton, of Rock Hill, SC; five daughters, Doris Ann Mahdi, of Anderson, SC; Judy G. Skelton, of Anderson, SC; Ella V. Floyd, of Charlotte, NC; Jacqueline Brock, of the home; and Rev. Tabitha (Stanley) Johnson, of Anderson, SC; brother, Marion Smith, of Iva, SC,; two sisters, Parnease Thompson, of Anderson, SC, and Brenda (Leo) Richardson, of Iva, SC; twelve grandchildren, thirty-six great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Brenda Smith, two brothers-in-law, Floyd Paul and Melvin Mattison; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services are 3 pm Sunday at the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church and the body will be placed in the church at 2 pm, burial in the church cemetery. Public viewing is Saturday from 3-7 pm at D. B. Walker Funeral Services.

The family is at the home, 2617 Lebanon Road, Pendleton, SC.