Neva Roberta Skrabanek

She enjoyed a full life, and died after a brief illness. She is survived by her son Michael Skrabanek and daughter-in-law Cynthia Hurayt, her dear sisters Martha Green and Carolyn Ivy, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sisters Sylvia and Mozelle, and brother Robert.

Neva was born in West, Texas into a large, multi-generational family. Times were tough with a large family during The Depression, so Neva earned money picking cotton. Later, she went to work as a switchboard operator, then enlisted into the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) serving 4 years in Occupied Japan during the Korean War. She was blessed with a beautiful voice, as was her sister Martha (they even made a record) and Neva sang with the USO during her service. On her return from Japan, Neva graduated from Business School in Austin, where she met and married Jerome Skrabanek. They had one son named Michael. Sadly, she was widowed in 1971 and never remarried. She finished raising her son alone and worked until retirement at the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council. After retiring she moved to Fredericksburg, then Kerrville, Texas with her “must-be-a-twin” sister Martha. While in Kerrville and near her son and daughter-in-law, many activities were shared, including dinners out, hiking, rafting, 4-wheeling and travelling around Texas and the world.

During her life, Neva enjoyed reading historical novels, travelling the world with her son, sisters and brother, singing, socializing, going to movies, enjoying the Episcopal Church, eating dessert first and enjoying the company of many friends. She led a healthy and happy life, always had a ready, beautiful smile and never met a stranger. She will be sorely missed.

As a tribute to Neva, please give a ready and beautiful smile to a stranger, read a good book, and eat dessert first.