Floyd Shooke

Floyd Shooke, age 90, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2014 at Lanier Village Estates, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel with interment to be held at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Wednesday prior to the service.

Floyd was born September 27, 1924 in Hiawassee, Georgia. The son of the late Albert and Cordie (Maney) Shooke. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Betty (Beckom) Shooke; brother, Cartis and sisters, Hersie, Irma and Irene.

"From the Mountains to the Sea" is a phrase often used to describe the diversity of Georgia's varied regions and habitats, and it is a fitting description of Floyd's path from the North Georgia Mountains, serving around the world in the Navy during World War II and back home again. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1946, Floyd worked on the Inter-Costal Waterway doing pollution studies off of Georgia's coast. In the early 1950's, he ran a mobile milk lab which tested dairies around the state in a program that became a model for the entire dairy industry. Later he worked for the State of Georgia in the Coweta and Hall County health departments in a long and distinguished career. At the age of 57, Floyd was able to retire after 35 years of service, but he never stopped working. He devoted himself to caring for his elderly parents, his wife, Betty, friends neighbors and anyone in need who might cross his path. He was an accomplished beekeeper, gardener and genealogist and among his friends and neighbors, a legendary story-teller. Always the mountain man, Floyd could hike the steep terrain of Towns County well into his eighties.

Floyd is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Don and Tracey Shooke of Hiawassee, GA; son and daughter-in-law, William and Rebecca Shooke and their children, Erika, Alysha and Robbie of Moreland, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to the staff of Lanier Village Estates for outstanding care and support and for helping to make the last years of Floyd's life rich with experience and tenderness. Thanks also to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center for their help and support.


Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia, 770-297-6200. Online condolences may be expressed at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.