OCRACOKE — Lou Ann Gaskins, 65, of Ocracoke, NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Lou was born on September 10, 1958, to Earl Hill Gaskins and Annie Lou Gaskins in Morehead City. Lou graduated from Ocracoke School and later worked there for 25 years. She worked as a teacher’s assistant in various grades during her 25 years. She traveled as a chaperone with high school classes on school trips to Europe and had fond memories of those trips. Lou loved working at the school and loved the students.
Lou is survived by her four siblings: Donna Helen Boor, Marlene Mathews (husband Randal), Earl Hill Gaskins Jr. (wife Lynn), and Keith Gaskins (wife Janet). Lou has eight nieces and nephews: Beach, Justin, Lacey, Jennifer, Amanda, Kaylee, Spencer, and Reese. She has seven great-nieces and nephews: Alyssa, Bailey, Essie, Axel, Pierce, Mila, and Kinsley. Lou was like a second mom to all of her nieces and nephews. She loved spending time with family and having everyone around, especially during Christmas time when the family would get together for game days. Her holiday specialty was homemade Oreo balls.
Lou was a joy to be around and was friendly and welcoming to anyone. She never met a stranger and could make anyone laugh with her sayings and jokes. Lou loved animals and enjoyed bird watching. She loved drinking her sweet tea and mio, eating her cinnamon candy, pork rinds, and pizza. Her hobbies included watching tv (especially scary movies), puzzles, taking rides around the roads, playing games on her phone, and sending animal pictures and videos to friends and family. One of Lou’s famous sayings was, “you will”.
Lou’s goofy and loving spirit will be missed, but the memories of her will continue to bring joy to her friends and family.
A celebration of life will be held for Lou Ann Gaskins and her mother, Annie Lou Gaskins, on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the United Methodist Church on Ocracoke. Arrangements were entrusted to Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. Condolences to the family may be expressed via the online registry at www.gallopfuneralservices.com
