Kathleen Elrod

Reverend. Kathleen Skipper Elrod, daughter of the late Dr. Jesse Harmon Gum, DVM. and Flossie Venice Collins Gum was born January 1, 1935 in  Locust Grove, Oklahoma. She attended public schools and graduated in 1953 from Cheyenne High School, Cheyenne, Oklahoma. She did her undergraduate studies at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma and Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, Texas, where she graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree. Kathleen married Reverend Bobby “Bob” J. Skipper on December 16, 1955. The college sweethearts were married for 42 years and blessed with two children: Steven Marcus Skipper and Sherry Marcia Skipper, who died after only 8 hours of life. Following Bob’s death, she married Mallie Albert Elrod on September 2, 2006. In addition to her parents, her spouses, and her daughter, Kathleen was preceded in death by her siblings: Laurine Gum, Imogene Gaden, Doris Baker, and John Gum.

The defining moment in Kathleen’s life was at 6 years of age when she received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. One year later she was Baptized in the Holy Spirit. Kathleen was a member and credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God Church. She fulfilled her calling in both church and marketplace ministry. She served 3 years as a Christian School typing teacher, 4 years as co-owner of “Belles & Beaux” children’s apparel store, 6 years as office manager at “Champion Card Greeting Card Company”, and 3 years as the church prayer teams coordinator at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. She is best known and loved for her 40 years ministering as a pastor’s wife: 2 years at First Assembly of God, Brenham, Texas and 38 years at Abundant Life Assembly of God, Grand Prairie, Texas.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son and daughter-in-love, Reverend Doctor Steven Marcus & Elizabeth Martinez Skipper of Grand Prairie, Texas, her Grandchildren, Bethanie Lynn Skipper of Springfield, Missouri and Reverend Andrew Marcus Skipper of Grand Prairie, Texas, and a host of extended family and friends.