Ralph Shumate

Bluefield, WV- Ralph W. Shumate, 84, of John Nash Boulevard, Route 2, Bluefield, left his Earthly home to be with his Lord on Saturday September 17, 2011. Born May 27, 1927 in Bluefield, WV, he was a son of the late Elisha A. Shumate and Sallie Burton Shumate. Mr. Shumate was a lifelong resident of Bluefield and was a World War II era veteran, having served in the Army Air Corps. He was a faithful, charter member of Edgemont Baptist Church where he served in many capacities. He was an active member and President of the Men’s Sunday School Class, was a Deacon, an Usher and a committee member. Mr. Shumate retired from Concord University after working many years in the Heating Maintenance Department. He was a member of the West Virginia Teacher’s Retirement Association and the American Legion. He loved gardening and doing yard work. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Linda Joy Shumate; sisters, Doris Shumate, Neda Mae Shumate, Evelyn Martin and Anna Ruth Fisher; and brothers, Bernard Shumate, Harold Shumate, Ray Shumate and Alfred Shumate. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 63 years, Onita Irvin Shumate of the home; one daughter, Sharon Borror and husband David of Farmington Hills, MI; one sister, Mary Higgins and husband Arvil of Bluefield; two brothers, Kenneth Shumate and wife Patty of Bluefield, and Glen Shumate and wife Joan of Pulaski, VA; two grandchildren, Nicole Loucks and husband Ryan of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Alec David Borror and wife Katie of Elgin, IL; one great-grandson, Taylor Ryan Loucks of Fort Lauderdale; two sisters-in-law, Eva Shumate of Princeton and Geneva Shumate of Bluefield; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday September 21, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. from the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with son-in-law, Rev. David Borror officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until the service hour. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, WV where Bob Mustard, Bob Yost, Donnie Gott, Freddie Dotson, Jack Bourne, Harold Goforth, Connel Ware and Derrick Felts will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Crigger, Glen Pritchard, Joe Austin and Gordon Corell. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Edgemont Baptist Church 2507 Jefferson Drive, Bluefield, WV 24701 or to the Bluefield Union Mission, 2203 Bluefield Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Ralph W. Shumate.

Ralph Shumate

May 27, 1927 - September 17, 2011