Visitors to Mary Jo Skidmore’s home could count on being greeted by her warm smile, a delicious smell coming from her kitchen, and the many pictures of family that she proudly displayed on her walls. When they left, her love and her prayers followed. Mary Jo passed away on June 4, 2024, at the age of 83, and received her own joyful greeting at her Heavenly home.
Born Oct. 18, 1940, Mary Jo was the first of eight children born to Boyd Edward and Thelma Lorene Helmig. She grew up working hard on the family farm outside Judge and helping to care for her younger siblings. While as children they might have thought her a little bossy or may have even hidden in a tree with a book to avoid her work assignments, Mary Jo’s brothers and sisters looked up to her as a leader and a mentor.
After graduating from Linn High School in 1958, independent and hard-working Mary Jo moved to an apartment in town with her friend Retha and took a job as a seamstress at the Linn pants factory supporting herself until she married, and having a little fun checking out the nightlife in Belle on the weekends, too.
Mary Jo married Hardy Winford (“Wink”) Ridenhour on April 4, 1964. She worked alongside Wink on their farm outside Belle, tending a large garden, raising cattle, pigs, ducks and chickens, and fishing when she had the time. When her many nieces or nephews would come to visit, she always had a job or activity for them from collecting eggs out of the hen house, to watching baby ducks or chicks hatch, to helping in the kitchen. She especially loved children and would patiently answer all of their many questions about the farm and her life growing up, a true example of gentleness and kindness.
An incredible cook and baker, Mary Jo was widely acknowledged to be the second-best cook in the family, second only to her mother Thelma, who was highly praised. She showed her love by making special “favorite” meals and treats for family and friends from chicken and dumplings to her signature dish tamale corn, to homemade bread and cinnamon rolls, and intricately decorated birthday and wedding cakes. She also enjoyed quilting and gifting beautiful baby quilts as new babies were welcomed into her family.
Mary Jo lost her husband Wink on Oct. 25, 1998. Afterward, she passed the Belle farm on to her beloved nephews, John, Matthew, and David Helmig, and was happy to see the land she had tended so well stay in the family.
Mary Jo found love again with Oreal O. Skidmore, marrying him on May 27, 2000, and joyfully claiming his family as her own—to care for and brag on, as she did so well. With Oreal, Mary Jo was able to travel to many places in the United States she had not visited before, and she was welcomed with love by Oreal’s children and large extended family.
Mary Jo was a lifelong member of Solid Rock Baptist Church in Judge, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and even volunteering to serve as a Royal Ambassador leader for boys in the church when her nephews were young. She and Oreal attended and continued to serve faithfully at Solid Rock throughout their marriage. Mary Jo loved the Lord and showed His love to others, especially in the way she always sought to care for those around her.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Wink Ridenhour and Oreal Skidmore; parents, Boyd and Thelma; stepdaughter, Jackie Bullock; and siblings Barbara Kochenburger, Karen Kay Pearson and Dwight Helmig.
Mary Jo is survived by siblings, Ruth Ann Tynes, Ronda Thompson, Brenda Prouty and husband Jim and Duane Helmig and wife Patsy; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews on the Helmig side; children of her Skidmore family, Otis Skidmore, Mary Grahm and husband Loyd, Betty Bodine and husband Donnie, Howard Skidmore and wife Debbie and Doug Skidmore and wife Brenda; and numerous Skidmore grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held June 8, at Trimble Funeral Homes - Westphalia with Pastor Perry Wolfe officiating. Graveside services were held at Solid Rock Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions suggested to Solid Rock Baptist Church.
Arrangements entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City.
