Ray Luther Shumate

Ray Luther Shumate, 90, of Camellia Drive (Bluewell), Bluefield, passed away on Friday, October 3, 2014 at his home. Born on July 21, 1924 in Algoma, he was a son of the late Ira and Ora Mitchem Shumate. He had been a resident of Bluewell for 57 years was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield. He was a retired coal miner and was a member of the UMWA. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the US Navy aboard the USS Tripoli from July 1943 to February 1946. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Elbert, Estel, Coy and William Shumate; sisters Myrtle Quesenberry and Marie Alley Harris; and sister in laws, Margaret Shumate, Peggy Shumate and Jeanette Shumate. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. Survivors include: Wife of 68 years: Mary Lashiw Shumate of the home 4 sons: Wayne Shumate of Brushfork and special friend Penny Romeo of Bluefield Raymond Shumate and Felicia Mancuso of Hempstead, TX Mark Shumate and Karen of Princeton John Shumate and Sandy of Princeton 4 daughters: Karen Kidd and Randy of Bluefield Marilyn Shumate McCoy and Jimmie of Bluefield Diana Gibson and Mike of Draper, VA Delores Shumate of the home, and special friend JK Simmons of Bluefield 11 grandchildren: Wendi Aiello and George Jeremiah Gibson Stacey Zinsmeister and Michael Joshua Gibson and Tammy Justin Shumate Katie Kidd Courtney Shumate Whitney Brewster and Michael Cameron Shumate Mckenzie Shumate Jakoby Shumate 13 great-grandchildren: Alex, Grace, Ethan and Rhys Aiello Blake and Aiden Zinsmeister Jackson, Hadley, Keagan Wills Emma and Hayden Gibson Shelbi Hardman Kallista Shumate 2 brothers: Robert Shumate and Iona of Bryceville, FL Melvin Shumate and Jane of Salisbury, NC Sister in law: Pearl Davis Shumate of Sanderson, FL Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 6, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield with Rev. Elpidio Geneta, JLC officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell where Jimmie McCoy, Mike Gibson, Joshua Gibson, Jeremiah Gibson, Justin Shumate, George Aiello will serve as pallbearers. Randy Kidd and JK Simmons will serve as honorary pallbearers. Military honors will be performed by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. Friends may call on Sunday from 6-8PM at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell. Memorial contributions may be made to the Food Pantry at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1003 Wyoming Street, Bluefield, WV 24701. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, 3431 Coal Heritage Road (Bluewell), Bluefield, WV 24701 is serving the family.