Sue Ann Shumaker's Obituary
Sue Ann (May) Shumaker, known to her grandkids as Mamaw, passed away peacefully at her home in Fairland, Oklahoma at the age of 84 on Monday, June 19, 2023.
Sue Ann was born on March 21, 1939, to Daniel Morgan and Cora Mable (England) May at their home on Marshall Hill in Monett, Missouri.
Sue Ann met Gene Shumaker at the skating rink in Monett in March of 1954 and they were married 3 months later June 12, 1954. They were married in the Methodist Church Parsonage by Reverend Sherman Erickson. Gene was 19 and Sue was 15 years old at the time of their marriage. They were happily married for 69 years and 7 days. In September of 1954 Gene joined the US Army and the newlyweds moved to West Point, Kentucky. Sue had the first of their 5 children (Cynthia Sue) when they were on active duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Over the next 7 years the couple went on to have 3 sons, Curtis, Jack and David. In September of 1956 Gene was honorably discharged from the US Army and the couple moved to Bonner Springs, Kansas, then later to Northeastern Oklahoma where Gene started work at B.F. Goodrich in February 1957. When B.F. Goodrich closed their doors on February 28, 1986, Sue and Gene officially opened Sue’s Resale Shop the next day on March 1, 1986. Sue worked many jobs over the years to support the family prior to opening Sue’s Resale Shop.
Sue had a tremendous love for children who were from broken homes or in difficult family situations. She began taking on foster children after her last child (David) left home in 1980. Over the next 10 years Sue and Gene fostered 17 children in their home. Many of those children stay in contact with them to this day. Cora Ann came into the family in 1980 at 2 years old as one of their first foster children and was later adopted by Sue and Gene. Sue also served on the Board of the Child Advocacy Center of Ottawa County for many years. In her earlier years Sue loved to paint western art and flower arrangements. Some of her paintings were displayed at the First National Bank of Fairland for many years.
A woman of great faith, Sue (and Gene) were active members of First Assembly of God in Miami, OK with the Reverend Gerald and Sister Baser. Sue loved to bless others with the bounty that God had blessed them with from Sue’s Resale Shop. On many occasions she would donate dress suites to visiting pastors or missionaries who needed nice clothing. She also donated clothes to families in need or to families who lost their home and possessions in a fire or storm.
Sue loved road trips, fishing, domino's (Train) and most of all watching and cheering on her grandchildren as they played in their sporting events or performed in dance recitals. Sue and Gene would travel for miles to see their grandchildren take a swing at the ball or send a ball into a hoop or a cup. They truly loved their children and grandchildren.
Sue was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Morgan May, her mother, Cora Mable May, her brothers, Daniel Doris, James Lee and Jerry Dale. Her sisters, Norma Dean McQueen, Evelyn June Durham and her daughter-in-law Cheryl Lynn Shumaker.
Sue is survived by her husband, Gene Shumaker, and their five children, Cynthia Sue Thomure, Curtis Gene Shumaker, Jack Morgan Shumaker and his wife Debbie, David Bruce Shumaker and Cora Ann Foster. Sue is also survived by her ten grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren: Steven Eric Thomure and his wife Rebekah and their children Javen, Titus, Ezekiel and Raven. Christopher Gene Thomure and his wife Jennifer and their children, Hayden and Caleb. William Patrick Thomure and his wife Ashley and their child, Lily May. Christy Shumaker Seaton and her husband Jake and their children, Piper, Violet, Silas and Finnegan. Matthew Curtis Shumaker and his wife Mary Lou and their children, Aubrey, Mason and Logan. Clayton Cole Shumaker and his wife Lindsay and their children, Alivia, Jackson and Harlow. Cane Colby Shumaker and his wife Whitney and their children, Beckham, Boston and Briggs. Lukas Aaron Shumaker, Andrew Jordan Shumaker and his wife Faith and their children, Braxton and Amelia. Dalton Ben Foster and his wife Brianna and their twins, Dutton and Dawson, along with her sisters Mary Homesley and Martha Foster.
Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service at 101 West Conner Ave., Fairland, OK.
Services celebrating Sue Ann’s life will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 23 at Fairland First Assembly of God with Pastor Jerry Baser and Grandson In-Law Pastor Jake Seaton officiating. Sue will be laid to rest at the Fairland Cemetery.
Family and friends may share memories online at: www.brown-winters.com.
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