- Date Of Birth: January 4, 1934
- Date Of Death: February 10, 2021
- State: Maryland
Informing you of the death of one of God’s beloveds is never easy. This morning, the privilege and sorrow of this task are especially acute as I share with you that Skip Roland took his final breath yesterday evening and entered into God’s indescribable and eternal glory.
A son, brother, father, grandfather, friend, Korean War veteran, Purple Heart recipient, engineer, and child of God, Skip was a gentle, faithful soul whose compassion and tenderness knew no bounds. Up until his health began to decline a couple of years ago, he and his best friend Pete Shanklin spent nearly every day at the church–building, repairing, and tending to every crevice of our property with unparalleled dedication, precision, and patience. If you have walked through the doors of St. Paul’s, his handiwork and spirit have touched you whether or not you ever met him. Skip’s behind-the-scenes service was foundational to so many other ministries at St. Paul’s.
But as much as Skip loved St. Paul’s, his greatest passion was for his late wife Virginia, his daughter Jenny, his son Joe, and his loving God. His trust in God’s goodness and the goodness of all God’s children infused his humble spirit and led him to become a quiet, yet faithful supporter of our outreach ministries to our community, especially those in service to children and those facing food insecurity. True to form, however, Skip was quick to shun attention and praise, content instead with a simple “thank you” and a glass of Vicky’s freshly brewed iced tea. His humble, gracious spirit was a beauty to behold.
Upon entering hospice care last month, Skip found immense joy and beauty in the outpouring of cards and prayers that so many of you sent to him. Thank you for filling his final days with such fierce love.
Jenny Nelson
301 Edgewood Court
Chapin, SC 29036
&
Joe Roland
2760 Sprague Court
Waldorf, MD 20601
