Mr. Bobbie Joe Shumate

Bobbie Joe Shumate, 86 years of age, passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2019 at Bowers Hospice House. Born on March 17, 1933 in Glen Rogers (Wyoming County), WV, he was the son of the late Dewey Shumate and Ester Virginia Perry Shumate.

During his childhood, one of his fondest memories were riding a horse every day across Bolt Mountain to Bolt from Glen Rogers to build his family farm and to become a farmer.

Mr. Shumate was a retired Veteran of the Unites States Air Force. He served four tours of duty as an Air Traffic Controller in Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand. He was a Bus Driver for 20 years for the County Board of Education where he received Safe Driver Awards.

After retirement from the United States Air Force, Mr. Shumate became a cattle farmer. He cherished living on the family farm with his wife and family and clearing the land. He had a passion for working and enjoyed cutting hay and firewood.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Rosalie Nidiffer Shumate; his sister, Rosetta Craft; and his brother, Billy Shumate.

He is survived by his sons, Joey Shumate and wife, Heike, and Brian Shumate; six grandchildren, Timmy Shumate, Steven Shumate, BreeAnn Bailey, Brian Hunter Shumate, Brook Shumate and Bailey Shumate; and six great-grandchildren, Emily Shumate, Rosalie Shumate, Domenico Shumate, Bevin Bailey, Brier Bailey and Henry Bailey.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 pm in the Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Home with Pastor Garry Hall and Pastor Dewey Lowe officiating. Entombment will follow in the Peace Mausoleum of Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia-Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Dr., Beckley, WV 25801.

For those who wish, online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.