Dolores “Sunny” E. Skidmore, 93, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, formerly of Evansville, Illinois, passed away at 9:31 am, Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
She was born to the late Albert B. and Helen C. (nee Moll) Skidmore on January 18, 1929 in Evansville, Illinois.
As a child, Dolores’ love of music and radio began as she sat on her Father’s knee listening to the Saturday night radio broadcast of the Grand ‘Ole Opry. She learned to play the fiddle and the guitar, and her tap dancing was superb.
Her career path took a few turns. Dolores worked in banking at First Federal Savings and Loan in Sparta in the late 40’s. Then she was a teacher at the Preston School. When the school was consolidated with other country schools, Dolores taught at Central School in its beginning years. High School teaching at SPPS High School (later Gibault Catholic High School) introduced her to Father Edwin Hustedde, an innovator in Catholic High School Education.
The love of country music drew her to Nashville, Tennessee, where she worked for an “up and coming” Faron Young in the 1950’s.
Radio was something Dolores wanted to explore, so she settled in Beeville, Texas as one of the first women DJ’s. From then on, she was known as “Sunny”. In 1967, when Hurricane Beulah hit the area, she was awarded for her excellent reporting. Sunny continued in radio in Canton, Ohio, moving to Poplar Bluff, Missouri in 1985.
In the mid 90’s, Sunny became co-owner of KLID radio. Broadcasting high school games, remotes, the Black River Music Festival, talk shows, the swap & shop, and selling ads were a part of her days. She achieved her dream of radio management.
Dolores is survived by her sister, Teletha Skidmore Pautler, three generations of nieces, cousins and co-workers and friends of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister – Alverna Skidmore and her brother-in-law – Leland “Buck” Pautler.
Prayer Service:
9:30 am, Thursday, August 18, 2022
Pechacek Funeral Home, Evansville, Illinois
Officiating:
Fr. Iuvenius Iheme
Interment:
St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery
Evansville, Illinois
Visitation:
Thursday – 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Pechacek Funeral Home, Evansville, Illinois
Memorials:
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Evansville, Illinois
Masses
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