Dr. Franklin Shumake

Dr. Franklin Shumake, educator, died on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.  He is survived by his wife, Hildred Hardigree Shumake; children, Joy and Ed Tant, Jan and Stan Witherington, Steve and Alonya Shumake. Grandchildren are Daniel and Christy Butler, Marie and Richard Jones, Sara and Andy Torbert, Emma and Paul Heffernan, Jamie and Chris Tripp, and Maya Shumake and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Knoxie Shumake, his brother, Melvin Shumake, and his sister, Ernestine Ray.

Dr. Shumake was involved in two major careers, education and ministry.  The world of work was significant for him all of his life.  As a high school student, he worked as a concession boy in the Roosevelt Theatre in Jefferson, Georgia taking up tickets and selling popcorn; worked in the Carl Legg Grocery store delivering groceries to homes, and worked in the Jefferson Cotton Mill as a sweeper, quill skinner, and loom greaser.

When he entered college at the University of Georgia he was a ministerial student at the Christian College of Georgia and followed up attending the College of Bible in Lexington, Kentucky.  During these student years, he served as minister of the Statham Christian Church, Bishop Christian Church, and Watkinsville Christian Church in Georgia and the Perryville Christian Church in Kentucky.

He changed his career from ministry to education and returned to the University of Georgia to earn a master’s and doctorate in education degrees in school counseling and school administration.  In his education career, he would be a school teacher, school counselor, school superintendent, private school president, college professor, professional association officer, and an administrator in the Georgia State Department of Education.

His education career included employment in Southwest DeKalb High School, DeKalb College, Oconee County School System, Greene County School System, Fulton County School System, Rockdale County School System, and the Tallulah Falls School (owned and operated by the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs), the Georgia State Department of Education, Piedmont College, Gainesville State College, Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), and Georgia Association of Educators (GAE).

As a member of various Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ), he served as minister, deacon, elder, church board chairman, and Sunday School Teacher.

Throughout his careers, he served as a member of various civic clubs in the communities in which he lived (Rotary, Kiwanis, Civitan, Lions, and Chamber of Commerce).  His focus throughout his life was to be active in family, church and community events.

His advice was to look, listen, learn, before making decisions.  He retired numerous times, but would return to a job when there was a need for him. His goal in his last years was to be of service the rest of the way as he walked into the sunset.

A Memorial service will held on Saturday, September 30 at 1:00 p.m. at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST.  A reception will be held at Lord and Stephens immediately following the service.  Interment will be held at a later date at the Elder Cemetery in Watkinsville.

Instead of flowers, contributions of condolence may be made to the Judy Giles Scholarship Fund (c/o Antioch Christian Church at PO Box 1273, Watkinsville, GA 30677) or Retired Teachers of Greene County Scholarship Fund (c/o Ms. Joan Antone, PO Box 692, Greensboro, GA, 30642).

Indescribable appreciation to each member of the Highland Hills Village Staff for caring for him professionally and loving him personally.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com