Charles Edward Shumate

Charles Edward Shumate, age 91, passed peacefully from this life to his Heavenly home on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at the Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale. Charles was born August 27, 1926, in Webb City, Missouri to John Bryan and Versa Carter Shumate. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James Shumate, and a sister, Virginia Brown. He married Ann Lorene Crain on August 8, 1948 at the Church of Christ in Rogers, and they enjoyed a long life together of 70 years. Charles spent most of his life in Northwest Arkansas, namely Fayetteville, Lowell, and Springdale. He graduated from Springdale High School in 1944, where he lettered in all sports and received the American Legion School Award. Shortly after graduation, WWII was in progress, and he enlisted in the Army Air Corp where he was stationed at several U.S. air bases until the war ended. Upon returning home he was employed by the United States Postal Service where he worked for the next 40 years as both a city and rural letter carrier. In 1948, Charles became a Christian, attending the South Thompson St. and Robinson Ave. Church of Christ. He served many years as a deacon, Bible school teacher, and an elder. He was the elder in charge of Missions for several years, and made mission trips to New Jersey, and Trinidad during those years. The church also sponsored missionaries in France at one time and he and his wife were able to visit that work in 1986. In 1960 Charles and Ann moved to an 8-acre farm north of Springdale. Here they raised their three sons, and had an Angus cattle operation. They leased 100 acres right behind their farm (now J.B. Hunt Park and the Rabbit Foot Lodge property) to run the cattle. After retirement, Charles favorite activity was traveling with Ann, usually in their motor homes, to every state in the Union, most of Canadian Provinces, and most of the National Parks in the United States. They also traveled one summer for a month in Europe, and visited 13 countries. He is survived by his wife, Ann; three sons, Randy Shumate (Kathy) of Springdale, Ken Shumate (Barbara) of Houston, Texas, Kevin Shumate (Jana) of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Aaron Shumate (Vicki), Jonah Shumate (Kelly), Noah Shumate (Sarah), Julie Long (Loren), Betsy Dillman (Craig), Riley Shumate (Lisa), Brady Shumate (Brooklyn); 13 great-grandchildren, Rachel, Elise, Julia, and Philip Shumate, Kate and Owen Shumate, Kellen, Charlie, Aubrey and Sonia Long, Hope and Joel Dillman, and Ruth Shumate; one brother, Bennie Shumate of Lamar, Colorado; two nieces, Sue Wood, and Kay Adams; and two nephews, Charles Lee Brown and Jim Shumate. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23, at Robinson Avenue Church of Christ. Burial will be at Elm Springs Cemetery under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home, online guest book at www.heritageofnwa.com. zin lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to either Truth for Today, c/o Robinson Avenue Church of Christ, 1506 W. Robinson Ave., Springdale, Ark. 72764, or Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, Ark. 72762 where he so lovingly was cared for.