Andre Gatlin Skains

Terry Andre Gatlin Skains entered into rest on May 10, 2024 in Houston, Tx. She was a resilient and determined woman, journeyed through a life filled with diverse experiences and profound connections. Born on October 28, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, she was the cherished eldest child of Lt. Col Ollie Howard Gatlin and Verna Vanda Basso. Her upbringing, shaped by her mother’s Italian heritage and her father's military career, laid the foundation for a life rich in adventure and learning.

From her early years, Andre embraced the nomadic lifestyle of a military family. As a toddler, she traversed oceans and continents, residing in Kokkaido Japan and later moving stateside to Franklinton, Louisiana, abroad again to Nice, France, Ft. McClellan in Alabama and then to the Panama Canal where she attended high school. Despite the constant relocation, Andre thrived academically, excelling in her studies and cultivating a love for learning.

At the age of 17, Andre graduated from Balboa High School in the Panama Canal. Eager to pursue higher education, she began her college journey at Canal Zone Junior College before eventually settling in Louisiana to attend Louisiana State University.

It was at LSU where Andre's path intersected with that of Robbie Ernest Skains, forever altering the course of both their lives. United in marriage on July 17, 1963, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Andre and Robbie embarked on a lifelong partnership and adventures.

Settling in Houston, Texas, the couple along with Robbie’s son, Derek, welcomed two daughters, Phaedra and Domineque to complete their family. Andre, a devoted mother and wife, skillfully balanced her roles as caregiver, provider, and student, pursuing her education while raising a growing family.

In 2007, after a distinguished 20-year career as Chief Financial Officer with D.E. Harvey Builders Inc., Andre retired, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism, dedication, and integrity. Throughout her life, she found joy in her family, her passion for sewing, and her love for travel, by air, land (RV) and sea!

Andre faced the loss of Robbie in 2020, after 57 years of marriage, leaving a void in her heart. On May 10, 2024, Andre departed this world, leaving behind memories that will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Andre is survived by her three children, Domineque Skains Westall (husband Eric Westall), Phaedra Skains Kowis (husband Joe Kowis), Derek Norman Skains (wife Kathy Skains); 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; her sister Ana Hoyle (brother-in-law William Hoyle); her brother Karl Gatlin (sister-in-law Norma Gatlin); her sister Melissa Gatlin; and a multitude of other cherished family members and friends.