Lillian Fayrene Reynolds McKee Skahan, 87, of Columbus, died June 20, 2021, surrounded by her family. Fayrene was born in Picher, Oklahoma February 23, 1934 to William Wesley Reynolds and Lillian Sidenstricker Reynolds. She and her family lived in Picher, where Bill ran a small grocery store, moving to Columbus when she was 12 where he owned and operated a salvage yard on the south side of Columbus
Fayrene attended schools in Columbus, graduating with the Cherokee County Community High School Class of 1952. After graduation, she worked in the office at Jayhawk Chemical Corporation. She left Jayhawk when she met and married Marvin Lee McKee April 17, 1953. They made their home in Columbus. Fayrene also worked as the secretary for the Columbus First Christian Church and in 1966 she went to work in the board office of USD 493.
In retirement, Fayrene and Marvin loved to travel and made many enjoyable trips around the country. They had been married for 53 years when Marvin passed away in 2006. In 2009 Fayrene married Micheal Skahan. They enjoyed traveling and saw many wonderful parts of the country and had many adventures.
Fayrene’s love for her family always shined through. To the end her grandkids knew “You can have anything you want at Grandma’s House”. No one could make peanut brittle at Christmas Like Fayrene, bust out pies in big quantity, make fried chicken or chicken and noodles like Fayrene. Her family will cherish the times spent in her kitchen cooking together on holidays and will continue to try and figure out what we have done wrong when we make her rolls.
Fayrene is survived by her husband, Micheal Skahan, her daughters, Marta Brown (Gary) and Betty Louise Crossland (Ivan), both of Columbus grandchildren Jennifer Thompson (Eric), Jake Brown (Becca), Clint Brown (Carina), Mattie Crossland Haverkamp (Derek), and Ivan Crossland (Tara). Fayrene fiercely loved her 10 great grandchildren, along with a host of good friends and other cherished family.
Fayrene was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Billye Reynolds Nyberg and her brother Lloyd Reynolds.
Visitation is being held Friday morning, June 25 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the Crossland Conference House on East Country Road. A Graveside Service will be held at McKee Cemetery at 11 a.m. All are welcome.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Columbus or the Columbus Community Foundation and sent in care of Derfelt Funeral Home of Columbus.