Lewis Shumate

Lewis Wilson Shumate, 81, of McDowell, passed away Monday, February 5, 2018 at his home and surrounded by his family.

He was born March 30, 1936 in McDowell, the only child of the late Lewis Miles and Martha “Mae” (Wilson) Shumate. On October 29, 1960, he married Mildred “Millie” Lillian Colaw.

Mr. Shumate was a U.S. Navy veteran and proud to have served on the USS Ranger’s maiden voyage.  Lewis was a lifelong farmer, carrying on operations of the generational Shumate Family Farm following his father’s passing.  He will be remembered in the agricultural community for his work ethic and progressive farming practices.  Additionally, Mr. Shumate was employed as a deputy with the Highland County Sherriff’s Office for 12 years, and served as a director and agent for Highland Mutual Fire Insurance Company.  Throughout the majority of his life Lewis enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing, as well as competitive archery shoots and tractor pulls.  Above all, Lewis Shumate was a man of God.  He was a wealth of knowledge, well-read and studied on former theologians, revivalists and clergymen over the decades, and applied that knowledge into practice on a daily basis.  Lewis enjoyed sharing his testimony and Christian faith to those around him, writing books on his theological beliefs, and will be remembered as a fixture in the Sunday School of McDowell United Methodist Church where he attended.

He is survived by his wife, Millie Shumate; two sons and daughters-in-law, Steven Miles and Patricia (Chapman) Shumate and Charles Jeffrey and Alice (Hambrick) Shumate, all of McDowell; three granddaughters, Shyla Marie Hise and husband, Jason, Lauren Stephanie Sampson and husband, Cane and Lele Barbara Mullins and husband, Glen; six great-grandchildren, Hunter and Chloe Hise, Caynen and Hayven Sampson, as well as Lalea and Gunner Mullins; numerous cousins also survive

A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2018 at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell with the Rev. Andre Crummett officiating. Burial will follow in New Salem Cemetery with the Rev. Dave Boger officiating.

Pallbearers will be Herb Lightner, Pete White, Stevie Armstrong, Bill Wagner, Craig Smith, Kyle Obaugh, Jason Hise, Cane Sampson and Glen Mullins.

Honorary pallbearers will be friends attending the service.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, February 7, 2018 from 6-8 p.m.

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.

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