Martha "Mae" Shumate

Martha “Mae” Wilson Shumate, 91, of McDowell, passed away Friday, March 19, 2010 at Oak Grove Manor in Waynesboro.  She was born September 17, 1918 in Doe Hill a daughter of the late Harmon Irvine and Mary Louella (Siron) Wilson.

Mrs. Shumate was a homemaker, a member of McDowell United Methodist Church, McDowell Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the Extension Homemakers and a former member of Clover Creek Womens’ Circle.  She loved gardening and canning and many times had won the largest number of blue ribbons at the county fair.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Miles Shumate on November 18, 1980; two brothers, Warren Wilson and Harmon Wilson, Jr.; three sisters, Mabel Bussard, Laura Beverage and Edith Bishop and a long time special friend, James Ervin.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Lewis Wilson and Millie C. Shumate; two grandsons, Steven Miles and wife, Patricia Chapman Shumate and Charles Jeffrey and wife, Alice Hambrick Shumate, all of McDowell; three great-granddaughters, Shyla Marie Hise and husband, Jason, Lauren Stephanie Shumate and Lele Barbara Mullins and husband, Glen; two great-great grandchildren, Hunter Christian and Chloe Elizabeth Hise and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell with the Rev. Dave Boger officiating.  Burial will be in Shumate Family Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Steven and Jeffrey Shumate, Henry Marshall, Glen Mullins, Ronald Wilson and James Sloan.  Honorary pallbearers will be friends attending the service.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to McDowell Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Delbert Rexrode, 527 Windrush Lane, Doe Hill, VA 24433 or Highland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, VA 24465.