Priscilla Ruth Skarda

PRISCILLA RUTH SKARDA (aka Pris and Miss Pris), 71, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 1, 2020 after a courageous battle with Stage IV Lung Cancer. She was born on June 15, 1949 to Lee and Rosie Clary in Altus, Ark. She graduated from Morrilton High School in 1967, where she was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. Her friends said that even though she was pretty and popular, she never acted like she knew it and she always treated everyone like a friend. This is how she continued to live her life. She genuinely loved people and never met a stranger. Her professional career in banking started at Morrilton Security Bank and then she moved to Little Rock and worked for Worthen, Metropolitan, Pulaski & Centennial. She treasured the many friendships she made with her co-workers and customers over the years. She also had a special love for children and dogs and looked forward to them coming to see her at the bank. They brought her much joy and happiness! After retirement in 2014, she was a full-time caregiver for her husband, who had Dementia. For three years, she took incredible care of him. She was the love of his life and their 45-year marriage was a beautiful example of unconditional love. She then took on her next rewarding career and became a caregiver to some very special people, who gave her purpose in life once again. Her undeniable love for the elderly showed and they loved her right back. They especially loved how funny she was and how much fun she was to be around. She believed laughter is the best medicine and would tell them, "If we can't have fun doing it, then we're not doing it"! Along with her cheerful attitude (even during cancer!) and heart of gold, she also had a very generous spirit. On more than one occasion, she offered to give her kidney to someone who needed a transplant. And gift-giving was her favorite hobby! She was truly a beautiful person – inside and out – and will be missed by many. She is survived by her daughter, Tina Downey (and husband Steve), who she lovingly called "my most blessed gift"; sister, Bobbie Sexton; and furbaby, Lola. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ron Skarda; parents; infant son, Michael Chadley Leach; and sister, Margaret Smith. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Priscilla lit up a room by walking in it. She spread joy, love and kindness to others and received it back tenfold. In the last months of her life, she felt the outpouring of love from her friends and family more than ever. She went to Heaven knowing that her life had made a difference. Thank you to everyone who touched her precious life, as well as the "angels" who blessed her daughter this year in so many ways. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home.