Faye Annette Walker Shoemake

Faye Annette Walker Shoemake, age 79 of Mt. Airy, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Born on November 27, 1939 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She grew up with her family of three sisters, Janice, Carolyn and Cindy; and two brothers, James and Kenneth (Kenny); mother and father, Nora and J.D. Walker.

Faye like many other children in the 1940s was sent off to a boarding school due to the war and the loss of family members who helped support the needs of a growing family. As teenagers she and her older sister Carolyn were sent to a Prep school in Nashville, Tennessee to complete their high school education. There she met a young man by the name of Carl. He knew she was the love of his life and she would often tell them they were soulmates and how true that turned out to be. Two years later, January 19, 1957 they were happily married in the little town of Ringgold, Georgia. A few months later she joined her husband in Abilene, Texas to begin their career in the United States Air Force. As a young Air Force wife, Faye demonstrated courage and bravery every day. She raised and cared for 3 boys and ran their household while her husband was away on assignments. She was faced with the task of stretching every cent possible, the boy’s school work, discipline and general welfare. Her husband received an assignment to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota for 5 years and she contracted pneumonia in her left lung during her first year there and double pneumonia during her second year there. Their next assignment was to Torrejon AB, Spain and Faye was once again left to arrange shipment of their household goods, acquiring passports and transportation for herself and the three boys. The three and a half years spent in Spain was her most favorite time as it gave her and her family a chance to reconnect.

Upon returning to the United States, their last assignment was to Sumter, South Carolina where Mr. and Mrs. Shoemake retired from the Air Force, May 31, 1975. Faye received a Distinguished Air Force wife/ mother retirement certificate for dedication to the Air Force and her family. The next 29 years were spent in Phoenix, Arizona and it was this time when Faye returned full time to her God and church. She not only attended church regularly, she became a member of a small group of ladies formed in her church to sing gospel music called the Solid Rock Singers. Finally in 2004 the growth of Phoenix and the high temperatures during the Spring, Summer and Fall drove her and her family to seek a home in Georgia, putting them closer to their roots and youngest son and his family. It didn’t take long for the other two sons to realize the advantage of living here and they made their way to Georgia making Mom very happy.

Surviving are her husband, Carl Shoemake; three sons, Gregory Shoemake, David Shoemake and Daryl Shoemake; three daughter-in-law’s, Debbie Shoemake, Belinda Shoemake and Elizabeth Shoemake; 6 grandchildren, Stephanie, Christopher, David Jr., Joshua, Bryce and Addison; 4 great grandchildren, Cody and Emily, Pecos & Jackson McEntire.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 1 pm, Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Clarkesville Church of God with Rev. Tim Tanner officiating.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinanstewart.com

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.