James Edward Shoemake

James was born on August 24, 1929 to Benton and Etta Shoemake on August 24, 1929 in Nashville Tennessee. He grew up in the north Nashville area and attended Jordonia Grade School and John Early School through the eighth grade. His high school years were spent at Isaac Litton High School, where he graduated in 1948. It was at Litton that he met a pretty, black haired girl in algebra class who would become his wife, Faye Winfrey. On their first date in November of 1944 they attended a Litton/Tullahoma football game (Litton won). They were married on September 15, 1949, enjoying 67 happy years until Faye’s death in 2017.

Immediately after graduation he started work at National Life and Accident Insurance Company in their mail room, and continued to work his way up the corporate ladder. After 38 years, he took early retirement from National Life as manager of their mail operations. For 12 years he enjoyed working part-time for Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Convention Services.

He discovered a talent for bowling in a church league at he and Faye’s long-time church, Inglewood Baptist. James went on to become one of the Nashville area’s best bowlers in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a member of the Tennessean/Banner All-Nashville team for several years and was Bowler of the Year for the 1976-1977 season.

James and Faye found camping in the mid-1960s, and they camped all over the lower 48 in a variety of pop-up campers. They gave their children and grand-children a wonderful chance to see a great deal of this beautiful country at a leisurely pace. James was proud to have been to 49 states, missing only Hawaii.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Winfrey Shoemake; his parents Benton M. Shoemake, Sr. and Etta E. Shoemake (Owen); his brothers, Fred, Burford and Benton Jr, and sister, Virginia (Hackett).

He is survived by his 3 children, Beverly Stewart (Abi), Barbara Shoemake (Jon Seaman), and Matt Shoemake (Dawn), grandsons Michael Watson, Daniel Shoemake and Caleb Shoemake, and great-granddaughter Lilly Shoemake.

Gathering of family and friends will be held at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home on Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 1-5pm and on Monday, October 10, 2022 beginning at 11am. Celebration of Life Service will follow on Monday at 1pm in Woodlawn’s Dignity Hall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Shoemake family.