Vicki Diane Wood Skarda, a beloved longtime Hazen educator whose life was defined by teaching, faith, family and service to others, passed away September 19, 2026. She was 70.
Born January 28, 1956, in Camden, Arkansas, to Floyd and Rowena Ridout Wood, Vicki graduated from Des Arc High School with the Class of 1973. She later attended the University of Arkansas, where she earned her teaching degree.
In August 1976, she began her career as a 3rd-grade teacher at Hazen Elementary School.
Teaching was far more than a career for Vicki. It was a calling.
Throughout her years as an educator, she also served as a school counselor and as a pre-kindergarten teacher. She was remembered for having a special ability to make children feel loved, comfortable and excited to learn.
Vicki poured her heart into generations of students and families throughout the Hazen and DeValls Bluff communities, leaving an impact that continues through the lives of the children she taught.
On April 9, 1977, Vicki married Randy Joe Skarda, whom she met on a blind date. The couple shared 46 years of marriage and built their life around family, faith and love.
Vicki had always dreamed of becoming a mother. She and Randy were blessed with 3 children: Seth Skarda and his wife Jaime; Randa Saul and her husband Dare; and Ross Skarda and his wife Corinne.
While she treasured being a wife, mother and teacher, one of Vicki’s greatest joys was being “Nana.”
Her 11 grandchildren were her world: Dylan, Cache and Archer Skarda; Ireland, Lyla, Vivian, Julianna, Rellic and Rush Saul; and Carter Jane and Lola Rinn Skarda.
There was nowhere Nana would rather be than wherever her grandchildren were.
She attended games, activities, special events and milestones. If one of her grandchildren was participating, Nana could be counted on to be there cheering.
Her family remembers her as their biggest fan, a constant supporter and someone who loved her grandchildren fiercely.
Being Nana was not simply a title for Vicki. It was a major part of who she was.
Her chair at the ball field, her place in the stands and her voice cheering for her grandchildren are among the many things her family will forever miss.
Vicki was also a devoted member of Hazen First United Methodist Church for more than 50 years.
Her Christian faith was an important part of her life, and she was especially known for her many years as a Sunday school teacher.
She was also a longtime member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization dedicated to women educators and excellence in education.
Vicki was remembered as someone who never met a stranger.
She had an extraordinary ability to remember names, stories and the details that mattered to people. Whether someone had known her for 50 years or had just met her, Vicki had a way of making that person feel welcomed and remembered.
Her legacy could also be found in life’s smaller moments.
There were gingerbread houses made with grandchildren at Christmas, thoughtful gifts selected because she had been listening, and holiday traditions she faithfully kept alive year after year.
Her family said she had a way of making a place feel like home and making everyone in it feel as though they belonged.
Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Rowena Ridout Wood, and her beloved husband, Randy Joe Skarda.
She is survived by her children and grandchildren; sister-in-law Connie Skarda; special cousins Phyllis Newman and Frank Skarda and his wife Martha; nephew Joseph Skarda and his wife Wendy and their daughter Raegan; her “Bridge Club” friends; longtime friend Monica Lisko; a host of former students; extended family members; and numerous friends she made throughout her life.
Following her passing, visitation was held September 25 at First United Methodist Church in Hazen.
Funeral services were held September 26 at First United Methodist Church, with interment at Czech National Cemetery in Hazen.
The family requested memorials in Vicki’s memory be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that was especially close to her heart.
Vicki dedicated countless hours of her time, love and energy to supporting the program and its mission of placing books into the hands of children.
Vicki Diane Wood Skarda will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, adored Nana, faithful Christian, dedicated educator and treasured friend.
Her greatest legacy can be seen in the generations of students she taught, the people she served through her church and community, and especially in the family she loved so deeply.
She was deeply loved, and her influence will continue to be felt throughout Hazen and beyond for generations.
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